feb 23, 1607 - Jamestown

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Founded by the Virginia Company chartered by King James I, Jamestown was the first permanent settlement in America by the English. Although at first the settlers made plenty of mistakes that led to a large number of them dying, through trade with the American Indians they were able to survive a little longer. Eventually when John Rolfe cooperated with the Indians instead of causing conflicts, they were able to make the colony richer and further developed with the profitable crop, tobacco. Even though the Virginia colony began as a corporate colony founded by a joint-stock company, it had to transition into a royal colony because they had gone into heavy debt and needed more help from the king. The downfall of the Virginia company demonstrates how dependent the colonies were to the English government when they were first established. Later on the colonies will become more independent and therefore lead to the American Revolution.

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