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Chapter 2: The Southern Colonies
Chapter 2: The Southern Colonies
Lesson 2b: the Tobacco Revolution
Lesson 2b: the Tobacco Revolution
Tennessee State Standard:
Tennessee State Standard:
8.01 Explain the founding and development of Jamestown as the first permanent English colony, its early struggles, the economic and political structure, and role of the Powhatan people.
8.01 Explain the founding and development of Jamestown as the first permanent English colony, its early struggles, the economic and political structure, and role of the Powhatan people.
The tobacco revolution
The tobacco revolution
JOHN ROLFE & TOBACCO
JOHN ROLFE & TOBACCO
In May 1610, just as the starving time was ending, 142 new settlers, including a man named John Rolfe arrived at Jamestown, they found the settlement almost destroyed by famine and disease. But John Rolfe had a plan to turn the new colony around.
In 1611, John Rolfe became the first colonist to successfully grow tobacco in North America. Tobacco is a cash crop that is grown and then dried out and smoked.
A year later he established the first large farm, or plantation in Virginia along the James River near Jamestown. A plantation is a large farm that produces cash crops. Rolfe started exporting his tobacco to England in 1614.
John and Rebecca Rolfe (Pocahontas)
Tobacco Field
More and more plantations began emerging along the James River. They all started growing tobacco. Tobacco became the main cash crop in Virginia. The first slaves were brought from Africa beginning in 1619 to work on these plantations.
John Rolfe married Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan on April 5, 1614. Pocahontas converted to Christianity and was renamed "Rebecca" after her baptism. Their marriage created peace between the Jamestown colonists and the Powhatan tribe for several years. John Rolfe and Pocahontas had a son named Thomas. They traveled to England to visit in 1615 with their young son. However, as they were preparing to return to Virginia, Pocahontas became sick and died.
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