It passed strict laws against swearing, gambling, drunkenness, and excess in dress. The House of Burgesses met for five days, sweating and stewing, and battling flies and mosquitoes. When Governor Sir George Yeardley had arrived in Jamestown in April 1619, he carried instructions to call an assembly so that the settlers could make and ordain whatsoever laws and orders should by them be thought good and profitable. This governing body became known as the House of Burgesses. Two delegates from each of the 10 Virginia settlements, along with the governor and his 6 councilors, met in the choir of the Jamestown church. Section Theme Geography and History The headright system provided settlers with new ways to acquire more land John Cabot explores North America s coastline for England 1587 Roanoke colony founded 1607 Jamestown founded 1619 House of Burgesses meets for the first time 1634 Maryland founded Virginia House of Burgesses On July 30, 1619, the first elected assembly in the English colonies met in Jamestown, Virginia. Describe the founding of Jamestown and explain why it succeeded. Jamestown s Troubles Reading Objectives Explain the religious and economic reasons why England became interested in America. Key Terms and Names John Cabot, Puritan, joint-stock company, privateer, Walter Raleigh, Powhatan Confederacy, burgesses, headright, proprietary colony Reading Strategy Organizing As you read about the early troubles of the Jamestown colony, complete a graphic organizer similar to the one below by listing the problems that faced the colonists. 1 English Colonies in America Main Idea Religious, economic, and political changes in England led the English to establish colonies along the eastern coast of North America.

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