Jamestown Lecture Two: Tobacco, Strife, and Quest Supremacy (1607-1634)

History of Jamestown: England’s First Permanent Colony in North America

The history of Jamestown is characterized by death, suffering, hardship, love, hate, treachery, betrayal, and heroism. This talk divided into three periods will explore its history in context to international rivalries, the quest for supremacy, and its economy.

Lecture Two: 
Tobacco, Strife, and Quest Supremacy (1607-1634)

Jamestown was largely an investor-driven enterprise by the London Company that sought profitable enterprises in the New World. Despite the appalling conditions and absence of valuable minerals, immigration to Jamestown was encouraged by the London Company (until the loss of its charter in 1624) through strong public relations campaigns that extolled financial rewards and religious virtues. The English believed that the success of Jamestown depended on being worthy in God’s eyes of persevering against the Devil’s efforts (e.g., attacks by the Powhatan Indians). The concept of ‘res nullius’ adopted by the English was a precursor to the 19th century policy of Manifest Destiny.

GUEST SPEAKER:
John Delano, Ph.D. held the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York, in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences. Following retirement in November 2016, John and his wife, Susan, moved to Williamsburg, VA.  He has continued to give invited talks to public audiences, is a tour guide at Colonial Williamsburg, and does trail maintenance at a nearby 2,700-acre park. John has published two professional papers on topics that he has pursued since retirement.