Events of 1619

Two contradictory events in 1619 left their mark on America:
the first Legislative Assembly and the arrival of the first slave ship

Jamestown 1619 Lessons

The First Legislative Assembly

A Step Towards Democracy

It wasn't the first time English citizens had representation at the local level, but unique events made this assembly a stepping stone on the road to democracy.

Jamestown Great Charter 1618 Lesson

Background: The Great Charter of 1618

The Virginia Company of London rewrote the Jamestown charter (again!) in 1618. This was the start of the Virginia 1st Legislative Assembly.

Students in the Early Settlers Unit Study will:

And that they might have a hand in the governing themselves, it was granted that a general assembly should be held yearly, whereat the Govenor and Counsil were to be present with two Burgesses from each Plantation freely to be elected by the inhabitants thereof. This assembly to have power to make and ordain whatsoever laws and orders should by them be thought good and profitable for our subsistance.

Eleven Settlements In Virginia

11 Settlements at Virginia 1st Legislative Assembly

Participants will:

Decisions of the 1st Legislative Assembly

Voting at the 1st Virginia Legislative Assembly

Students get to join the representatives in that sweltering heat of those six days in Virginia and vote "aye" or "nay" on the topics at hand.

In the modern day vernacular:
  1. We accept the Great Charter of 1618 passed by the Virginia Company of London.
  2. We will not allow drunkenness, idleness, or gambling in the settlements.
  3. We should have plans to prepare our settlements in case of attack.
  4. Trees and crops must be planted by each settlement.
  5. This assembly should be able to vote on new laws that some of our own citizens propose.
  6. All citizens are required to go to church on Sundays.
  7. Because we have investigated the accusations against a servant and found him guilty of improper conduct, he should be punished.
  8. We will require a poll tax of “one pound of tobacco” per person over age 16 in each community to pay for the services of this legislative assembly.

What Did They Accomplish?

Consider these questions: It was a big step forward, but they probably barely notice. After all, it seemed like common sense. But even as they were taking that bold step forward, a ship was crossing the Atlantic that would ruin the lives of thousands of people and eventually send this fledgling nation into a bloody Civil War.

Slavery Arrives on Virginia's Shores

Before describing the arrival of the White Lion, the unit study reviews the international dilemma that was presented at the beginning of the unit: Netherlands was close to the English Channel and played a role in the Spanish Armada.

Civil War In Africa

Voting at the 1st Virginia Legislative Assembly

The war between the Republic of Congo and Angola resulted in the capture of thousands of Ndongo people who were sold into slavery.

World Map of Angola captives on San

Students follow the plight of the captives:

Fate of Slaves on the White Lion

Consider the fate of the twenty to thirty men and women sold in exchange for food at Point Comfort near Jamestown. The journey was more than horrific. The new country, customs, and language unknown. Conditions were harsh.

The black workers joined the indentured servants who had been shipped over from England. Hard work and a high rate of death awaited them. But there was a hope.

After seven years, an indentured servant could work off their debt and become a land-owner. For those Englishman, the American dream was born.

But tragically, as more and more English-born indentured servants graduated to land-owners, the need for farm-labor grew. The former captives of Angola stood out with their darker skin. Slavery had planted its evil roots in the English soil.


Get the Early Settlers Unit Study

Explore scenes of native life, evaluate reasons for settling the new world, search for clues to the fate of the lost colonists, join the John Smith scavenger hunt on the 1612 Map of Virginia, sail with Strachey on the ill-fated Sea Venture, look for the location of old forts, and vote in the first legislative assembly.

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Lesson Plans Roanoke Jamestown Bermuda Popham Unit Study
Content in 38 Lessons
Native Paintings John White Native Paintings
Algonquian Culture
Roanoke Roanoke Timeline
Timeline of Events
The Lost Colony Theories of the Lost Colonists
Nine Theories
Jamestown Stories Kids Stories about Jamestown
The Best Kids' Books
Jamestown Maps Maps of Jamestown
Historical & New
John Smith's Map John Smith's 1612 Map of Virginia
Join the Scavenger Hunt
Sea Venture Sea Venture Timeline
Timeline of Events
Sea Venture Game Sea Venture Shipwreck Castaways Game
What Happened?
True Report Wm Strachey's True Report
Modern Transliteration
Sea Venture Sea Venture Significance
11 Outcomes of the Wreck
Pocahontas Historical Facts about Pocahontas
19 Facts From History
History vs Legend Did Pocahontas Rescue John Smith
Did she rescue Smith?
Who Was Kocoum? Who Was Kocoum
Two Different Theories
Powhatan Attack? Powhatan and the Lost Colonists
1st Theory of the Colonists
Popham Settlement Popham Colony
Sagadahoc Colony
Irony of 1619 Virginia 1619 Events
Two Jamestown Events


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Clyde Bulla's Historical Fiction of Jamestown & the Sea Venture

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Literary Analysis for kids
Timeline Lion to Guard Us Timeline
Date of Major Events
Summary Lion to Guard Us Chapter Summaries
Highlights of each chapter
Sea Venture Game Sea Venture Shipwreck Castaways Game
Game of events of 1609 - 1610


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