Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 3: Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration, 1558–88 - 4…
Full specification wording
Option B4: Key topic 3: Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration, 1558–88 - 4 Attempted colonisation of Virginia: Reasons for the failure of the first settlement in Virginia.
The first English settlement in Virginia (Roanoke, 1585) failed due to a combination of poor planning, lack of resources, and deteriorating relations with the indigenous Algonquian population.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The first English settlement in Virginia (Roanoke, 1585) failed due to a combination of poor planning, lack of resources, and deteriorating relations with the indigenous Algonquian population. The colonists, led by Ralph Lane, arrived too late in the year to plant crops and lost vital supplies when their ship, the Tiger, was damaged. The settlers included too many soldiers and gentlemen, lacking the necessary agricultural skills to survive. Consequently, they relied heavily on the local Native Americans for food. Initial cooperation turned to hostility as English demands increased, culminating in violence and the death of the local chief, Wingina. Facing starvation and constant attack, the surviving colonists abandoned the settlement and returned to England with Francis Drake in 1586.
What earns the marks
- Identify the loss of supplies due to the damage to the ship Tiger upon arrival.
- Explain the inappropriate mix of colonists, noting the lack of farmers and overabundance of soldiers.
- Describe the breakdown in relations with the Native Americans, shifting from trade to hostility and violence.
- Explain the impact of arriving too late in the season to successfully plant and harvest crops.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the failure of the 1585 settlement with the 'Lost Colony' of 1587.
Put it right by focusing on the Ralph Lane expedition that returned with Drake.
Blaming the failure solely on Native American hostility.
Put it right by explaining that English reliance on indigenous food supplies and aggressive behaviour provoked this hostility.
Stating the colonists died of disease.
Put it right by highlighting starvation and conflict as the primary reasons for abandoning the settlement.
Exam tips
- Categorise the reasons for failure into planning/leadership, resources, and Native American relations to structure your answer.
- Mention specific details, such as the damage to the Tiger, to demonstrate precise knowledge.
- Explain how different factors interacted, for example, how the lack of supplies led to conflict with the indigenous population.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B4: Key topic 3: Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration, 1558–88 - 4 Attempted colonisation of Virginia: Reasons for the failure of the first settlement in Virginia. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following was a major problem that contributed to the failure of the first settlement in Virginia?
Listen
The first English settlement in Virginia (Roanoke, 1585) failed due to a combination of poor planning, lack of resources, and deteriorating relations with the indigenous Algonquian population. The colonists, led by Ralph Lane, arrived too late in the year to plant crops and lost vital supplies when their ship, the Tiger, was damaged. The settlers included too many soldiers and gentlemen, lacking the necessary agricultural skills to survive. Consequently, they relied heavily on the local Native Americans for food. Initial cooperation turned to hostility as English demands increased, culminating in violence and the death of the local chief, Wingina. Facing starvation and constant attack, the surviving colonists abandoned the settlement and returned to England with Francis Drake in 1586. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the loss of supplies due to the damage to the ship Tiger upon arrival. Explain the inappropriate mix of colonists, noting the lack of farmers and overabundance of soldiers. Describe the breakdown in relations with the Native Americans, shifting from trade to hostility and violence. Explain the impact of arriving too late in the season to successfully plant and harvest crops. A common slip: Confusing the failure of the 1585 settlement with the 'Lost Colony' of 1587. Instead, focusing on the Ralph Lane expedition that returned with Drake. Exam tip: Categorise the reasons for failure into planning/leadership, resources, and Native American relations to structure your answer.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Colonisation challenges
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Indigenous relations
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Resource management
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Leadership and planning
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See every definition
- Colonisation challenges
- The first English settlement in Virginia failed due to poor planning, lack of resources and deteriorating relations with the indigenous Algonquian population.
- Indigenous relations
- Initial cooperation with the local Native Americans turned to hostility as English demands increased, culminating in violence and the death of the local chief, Wingina.
- Resource management
- The colonists arrived too late in the year to plant crops and lost vital supplies when their ship, the Tiger, was damaged.
- Leadership and planning
- The settlers included too many soldiers and gentlemen, lacking the necessary agricultural skills to survive, and relied heavily on the local Native Americans for food.
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