Demographics

Question 1

Chesapeake relations with Native Americans

Answer 1

At beginning of 17th century wanted for prosperity for each and to be gentle overlords.

Had initial reliance on native Americans for farming techniques, to make it less laborious.

However latterly seen as savages- all whites united against common enemy.

Wars with native Americans. Starting in 1622.

26-36,000 native Americans in the area originally however by end of 17th century almost whipped out. Many left, disease, warfare.

Question 2

Workers at beginning of 17th century

Answer 2

• landowners would tend own land and make own tobacco.

- servitude- highering servants to come over. Have a contract.

Question 3

What did indentured servants mean?

Answer 3

• Contracted to one worker for a certain number of years in return for transport to virginia, food, housing, and clothing.
• Relatively good standard of living.
• however, meant lower reproduction as they were not allowed to get pregnant etc. In contract.
• Mainly male
• 3/4 of labour was bound labour.

Question 4

Struggles at start

Answer 4

• virginia almost failed within first 10 years

- out of 130 in 1607 nearly 2/3 died

Question 5

Increase of slavery

Answer 5

• Originally families very wealthy, so able to buy slave.
• Usually about £20.
• Mainly young men. Very few women. Gender ration of 1:6 in 1620s.
• continual dependence on immigrants.

Question 6

Few families

Answer 6

• 20 major families at this time.
• little family continuity elsewhere. Instability.
  Not much political continuity
  Church
  Education
  Inequality

Question 7

Was there a bettering of women numbers ? When?

Answer 7

Number of women doubled in 1650s

Would want women for housework, cleaning, cooking, cider, cheese and milk.

Question 8

When did births overtake deaths in Chesapeake

Answer 8

1690s

Question 9

Why didn’t people have bond to land

Answer 9

Slavery
Movement every 2/3 years for new lands
Churches and institutions
Deaths and single parent families.

Question 10

Demographic data for Chesapeake 17th century

Answer 10

Virginia bigger than Maryland
Blacks didnt outstrip whites in this period.
Whites. Blacks.
1620-1640: 0.3- 12.0. (X22). 0- 0.1
1640-1660: 12.0- 24. (X2). 0.1-0.9 (x9)
1660-1680: 24- 55.6 (x2.3). .9 - 4.3. (4.7)
1680-1700. 55.6- 85.2 (1.5X). 4.3 - 12.9 (X3)