Evaluate whether it would have been better or worse for the Pilgrims if they had landed just north of Jamestown
Out of many historical mysteries, one fact is for certain. The Puritans did not land where they were supposed to in the New World. Their deal with the London Company said that they would land just north of Jamestown, where they would still be under the King’s control. It might have happened on purpose, or because of a storm. Maybe they just made a mistake. However it happened, we don’t know what would have been different for these adventurers to the New World, if they had landed where they were supposed to land.
The settlers were supposed to arrive just north of Jamestown. This would have meant the ability to trade. Because of a delay at the start of the journey, the Puritans did not arrive in time to plant crops in the New World. Half of the settlers died during the first winter, deaths that might have been avoided if they had landed where they were supposed to.
On the other hand, the settlers wanted freedom. The reason that they left England in the first place was to be free. If they were closer to Jamestown, then it would be much easier for the king to affect them. If veering off course was intentional, then this may have been the reason.
This reminds me of a dilemma that we have to this day. We give up our freedom, to gain safety. Without that principle society would not exist. If I got to make the decision to go farther north or not, I would chose to be safer, and less free. But there are some freedoms that I would never give no matter what extra safety I could get. For me, the most important freedom is the freedom of speech. For the Puritans, I’m sure it was religion.
Out of many historical mysteries, one fact is for certain. The Puritans did not land where they were supposed to in the New World. Their deal with the London Company said that they would land just north of Jamestown, where they would still be under the King’s control. It might have happened on purpose, or because of a storm. Maybe they just made a mistake. However it happened, we don’t know what would have been different for these adventurers to the New World, if they had landed where they were supposed to land.
The settlers were supposed to arrive just north of Jamestown. This would have meant the ability to trade. Because of a delay at the start of the journey, the Puritans did not arrive in time to plant crops in the New World. Half of the settlers died during the first winter, deaths that might have been avoided if they had landed where they were supposed to.
On the other hand, the settlers wanted freedom. The reason that they left England in the first place was to be free. If they were closer to Jamestown, then it would be much easier for the king to affect them. If veering off course was intentional, then this may have been the reason.
This reminds me of a dilemma that we have to this day. We give up our freedom, to gain safety. Without that principle society would not exist. If I got to make the decision to go farther north or not, I would chose to be safer, and less free. But there are some freedoms that I would never give no matter what extra safety I could get. For me, the most important freedom is the freedom of speech. For the Puritans, I’m sure it was religion.