Economic worries and religious interests shared the responsibility for the settling of British North America. "Economic issues, not religion, determined the development of the English colonies in North America." In Virginia, the company realized that for the colony to survive, the people had to stop searching for gold, grow its own bare necessities, and find a "marketable commodity" (Eric Foner 64). On the other hand, both Maryland and Massachusetts used the birth of a new colony as a way to escape religious prosecution and ridiculement. .
Economic issues definitely formed the development of Virginia/Jamestown. After Virginia realized they needed to find a source of income, the company announced a new policy in 1618. Instead of keeping possession of land for itself, the company introduced the head right system. The arrangement awarded fifty acres of land for any colonist who paid for his or another man's passage to the colonies. This methodology created a starting point for any man who bought a substantial number of servants because it resulted in them obtaining a huge estate. The head right system enabled the expansion and/or start of plantations for any prospering colonists. .
In 1619, Thomas Jefferson created the House of Burgesses. This was the first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America. However, only landowners could vote or participate in any government activities. This was made as an incentive for the colonists to own land so they could participate in government decisions within the colony. .
As Virginia began to thrive, they became more populated and needy of more land. So, in 1622 the English made it clear that they were interested in upsizing and establishing a permanent colony, not just a trading post. This resulted in a major conflict with the American Indians (Powahatan's). The Powahatan's leader, Opechancanough, led an attack against the colonists and wiped out one-fourth of Virginia's settlers' population.
