Clash of Cultrures

Clash of Culture

Even though the “New World” had already had 115 years of contact, the year 1607 is often regarded as the first year of American History. In the year 1607 the English established their first lasting colony. This colony would later become the United States. Jamestown, which is present day Virginia begun by the Virginia Company of London. In the beginning Jamestown consisted of 104 colonists, some of who favored the plantation model of settlement others of whom favored the conquistador model. Due to the English gentlemen’s lack of motivation to work the land, or build fortification, failure was upon them. The Natives who were living in the area where Jamestown was established were unsure of the newcomer’s arrival. The Natives first reaction to the newcomers was hostile, due to their previous experience with Spanish explorers along the coastline. The English settlers had not only the Natives to worry about, but they also had to worry about the Spanish that were along the coastline. The first years of the settler’s time in the “New World” were difficult and trying. They were faced with disease, lack of food, and poor management. Historians refer to this time as the “starving time”, when food and supplies were almost nonexistent, and at least one colonist resorted to cannibalism. The only thing that kept the colony functioning was the continued arrival of colonist.

As the colony deteriorated during its first two years, Captain John Smith's leadership saved the colony. Part of this leadership involved exploring the area and making he risky decision to approach the Natives and attempt to trade with them jewels for food. John Smith unfortunately was injured by gunfire, and left Jamestown and went back to England.

The first setters were in many ways dependent on Powhatan Confederacy for food. Powhatan and his tribe saw the English as allies who would trade their weapons for the Natives food. The Powhatan saw this opportunity of trading food for weapons as a way to help Chief Powhatan his confederacy against other tribes. Because the Natives knew little about what the colonist had in mind as far as how the settlers wanted to to develop the New World, or how they intended to go about doing it, the Natives found it somewhat difficult to go into trade with them. The relationship of the Jamestown colonist and Powhatan’s tribe were difficult at times, and sometimes violent, but though there were trial and tribulations between the two cultures, the