What Did the Virginia Company of London Do?

By Robert Palmer

The Virginia Company of London was a joint-stock company that was established in 1606 with the aim of establishing a permanent English colony in North America. The company was granted a royal charter by King James I, which gave it the right to establish colonies on the east coast of North America between the 34th and 41st parallels.

The Founding of Virginia Colony

The Virginia Company of London sent three ships, the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, with 104 settlers to establish the first permanent English colony in North America. The expedition arrived at Chesapeake Bay on April 26, 1607. The colonists established a settlement called Jamestown in honor of King James I.

Despite initial setbacks due to disease and conflicts with Native Americans, Jamestown survived, and by the early 1620s, it had become a thriving settlement. However, relations between the colonists and Native Americans were often strained, leading to conflicts like the Powhatan Uprising in 1622.

The Role of Tobacco

One factor that contributed significantly to the success of Virginia Colony was tobacco cultivation. John Rolfe introduced a new variety of tobacco called Nicotiana tabacum from South America that proved to be highly profitable. By 1614, Virginia Colony had exported over 20,000 pounds of tobacco to England.

Tobacco cultivation required significant labor resources and led to an increase in demand for indentured servants and later enslaved Africans. The use of slave labor became increasingly prevalent as tobacco production expanded.

The Dissolution of the Virginia Company

Despite its initial success in establishing a colony in North America, the Virginia Company faced financial difficulties due to mismanagement and corruption. In addition, King James I became increasingly dissatisfied with the company’s control over an area he considered his own.

In 1624, King James I dissolved the Virginia Company and made Virginia a royal colony under his direct control. This move gave the king greater oversight over the colony and allowed for greater control over the colonists.

Conclusion

The Virginia Company of London played a critical role in the establishment of a permanent English colony in North America. Through its efforts, Jamestown was founded, tobacco cultivation was introduced, and Virginia Colony became an economic success.

However, mismanagement and corruption led to the company’s downfall, and it was ultimately dissolved by King James I. Despite this, Virginia Colony continued to thrive and played a significant role in shaping the future of what would become the United States of America.