Question

document d
source: adapted from \the lost colony and jamestown droughts,\ science, april 94, 1998.
note: this study determined rainfall amounts by examining tree - ring patterns in old cypress trees growing near jamestown. every year a tree grows, a growth ring is added inside the trunk of a tree. a wider ring indicates plenty of rainfall and good growth. a narrow ring indicates less rain. \0\ on the chart means average rainfall and growth and therefore average rainfall.
document analysis

1. what is indicated by a sharp spike below the 0 line? what were the dates of the first five years of settlement in jamestown? (see background essay)
2. look at the years 1580 to 1640. during which period did jamestown suffer its longest unbroken period of drought?
3. in the winter of 1609 - 1610, jamestown experienced what settlers called the \starving time.\ based on this document, what inference can you make about the cause of this \starving time\?

is there any way lack of rain might strain english relations with the powhatans? explain.

Explanation:

1. A sharp spike below the 0 - line on the rainfall index graph indicates a period of significantly below - average rainfall (drought). To find the first five years of settlement in Jamestown, we need to refer to the background essay for settlement start - date information and then match it with the graph.
2. By visually inspecting the graph for the years 1580 - 1640, we can identify the longest unbroken stretch where the rainfall index is below 0.
3. Given the graph, if the "starving time" in 1609 - 1610 coincided with a period of low rainfall (drought) on the graph, it can be inferred that lack of rain could have led to poor crop yields, contributing to the food shortage. Lack of rain could strain relations with the Powhatans as the English settlers might have needed more resources (like food and water) and could have resorted to more aggressive means to obtain them from the Powhatans.

Answer:

1. A sharp spike below the 0 line indicates a period of drought. Need background essay for settlement dates.
2. Visual inspection of the 1580 - 1640 period on the graph is required to determine the longest unbroken drought.
3. If there was a drought during 1609 - 1610, it could have caused food shortages due to poor crop yields. Lack of rain could strain relations as settlers may have sought more resources from the Powhatans.