Jamestown
* Founded in 1607, Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America.
* The settlers were a group of 104 men and boys who were sent by the Virginia Company of London, a joint-stock company that had been chartered by King James I of England.
* Jamestown is located on the James River in present-day Virginia.
Plymouth
* Founded in 1620, Plymouth was the second permanent English settlement in North America.
* The settlers were a group of 102 Puritans who had sailed from England on the Mayflower.
* Plymouth is located in present-day Massachusetts.
Why were Jamestown and Plymouth established?
* Jamestown was established as a commercial venture. The Virginia Company of London hoped to make a profit by exporting tobacco and other goods from Virginia.
* Plymouth was established as a religious colony. The Puritans who founded Plymouth were seeking a place where they could practice their religion freely.
What was life like in Jamestown and Plymouth?
* Life in Jamestown was difficult. The settlers were often sick, and they had to contend with attacks from Native Americans.
* Life in Plymouth was also difficult. The settlers had to clear the land for farming, and they had to build their own homes and churches.
Despite the challenges, both Jamestown and Plymouth survived and grew. They eventually became part of the United States of America.