Question

what was life like for the first settlers of jamestown?
what type of society does smith describe?
what might account for the development of this society?
document 7
source: governor berkeley and his council to king charles ii on their inability to defend virginia against a dutch attack, december 1673
we thought it our duty...to set forth in this our declaration, the true state and condition of this country in general and our particular...disability to... (engage in) war at the time of this invasion (by the dutch)...(we) therefore do most humbly beseech your majesty and your most honorable council to consider that virginia is intersected by so many vast rivers as makes more miles to defend than we have men of trust to defend them. for by our nearest computation we leave at our backs as many servant (besides negroes) as there are freemen to defend the shores and all our frontiers (against) the indians...(this) gives men fearful apprehensions of the danger they leave their estates and families in, while they are drawn from their houses to defend the borders. also at least one third (of the freemen available for defense) are single freemen (whose labor will hardly maintain them) or men in much debt,...(whom) we may reasonably expect upon any small advantage the enemy may gain upon us,...(the defect) to them in hopes of bettering their condition by sharing the plunder of the country with them.
what type of source is this? (primary or secondary and what is it?)
what is the bias of the author, as it relates to this essay question? what might account for this bias?
what manpower problems are faced by berkeley and his government in defending virginia against the dutch?
what does this indicate about the social structure and distribution of wealth of virginia?

Explanation:

1. A primary source is an original document from the time period in question. This declaration is a first - hand account.
2. The bias is inferred from the tone and purpose of the letter. The authors have an interest in making their situation seem as difficult as possible.
3. The manpower problems are directly stated in the text, such as the geographical challenges and the characteristics of the available defense force.
4. The social structure and wealth distribution are deduced from the types of people mentioned (servants, debtors) and their potential behavior in a time of war.

Answer:

1. What type of source is this? (Primary or secondary and WHAT is it?)

Primary source. It is a declaration from Governor Berkeley and his Council to King Charles II.

1. What is the bias of the author, as it relates to this essay question? What might account for this bias?

Bias: Presenting a rather dire and challenging situation to gain sympathy and support from the King. Account: The authors are trying to justify their inability to defend Virginia and may be exaggerating some problems to prompt the King to provide more resources or leniency.

1. What manpower problems are faced by Berkeley and his government in defending Virginia against the Dutch?

• Many miles to defend due to the river - crisscrossed geography.
• A large number of servants and non - freemen who may not be reliable for defense.
• At least one - third of the available freemen for defense are single freemen whose labor is also needed for sustenance and may be lured by the enemy.

1. What does this indicate about the social structure and distribution of wealth of Virginia?

Indicates a social structure with a significant number of servants and debtors. There is a concern about the loyalty of certain segments of the population, suggesting an uneven distribution of wealth and power, with some groups (like single freemen and debtors) more vulnerable and potentially disloyal in times of crisis.