History
In the year 1607, after making an unsuccessful attempt at the new world with Roanoke, the second colonization attempt began in Jamestown, Virginia. It was the first successful attempt for the British and was the forefront of British colonization in the new world. Although the town suffered catastrophic death rates and harsh winters with no food, disease, and conflicts with the natives, the colony continued to grow until it became a booming economic factor to the British when John Rolfe introduced tobacco as a cash crop and saved the colony from bankruptcy. From that point on, Virginia became one of the primary farming colonies for the British. The main reason for establishing the colony was for the sole purpose of profit, trade, and produce. Because of all the manual labor needed for farming and the inefficiency of indentured servants, slaves were introduced in 1617 and became a main contribution to the success of the colony.
Geography and Economic factors
Much of Virginia is made up of costal plains, valley, mountains, and bordered the ocean. The climate there was long warm summers with short mild winters. Because of these factors, crops such as tobacco, corn, and cotton were primarily grown in Virginia to produce a cash crop. The long warm summers allowed great growing condition with some growing seasons lasting throughout the winter. Its long ocean coastline made trade efficient and easy for Britain, making it a large trading colony. While fishing was prominent, in Virginia it didn't make as much profit as farming and its warm oceans lacked the necessary plankton for fish abundance. This colony was known for its labor and its farming of tobacco.
Social, Political, and Religious factors.
Virginia was primary a farming colony which produced economic gains as well as jobs. For this reason, there was an abundance of single males in their young adulthood working. It was a place for profit instead of families and communities. While it didn't attract many females, a government was created by the name of the House of Burgesses. This government allowed while, land owning, office holding males to vote for different political issues. This became a primary problem in Virginias society as seen in Bacons Rebellion (Which led to slave dependence). Only office holders could vote which excluded the entire public, creating issues. Overall, the main religion was Anglican and the household was very similar to many other colonies. The male was head of the household with females not on the same social position.