By the Late 1500S, England Was Becoming a Powerful Nation

Name ______Date ______Rotation ______

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Directions: Read the paragraphs below. As you read, write a 1-2 sentence summary of each paragraph in your own words. When summarizing, always think about who, what, when, where, why, and how. The first paragraph has been done for you.

By the late 1500s, England was becoming a powerful nation. England’s ruler, Queen Elizabeth, wanted to challenge Spanish claims in America. Thus, she encouraged Sir Walter Raleigh to explore the coast of North America, claim land and start a colony for England.

Summary of paragraph: Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Walter Raleigh to set up an English colony in North America in order to compete with Spain.

In 1585, Raleigh sent a group of English settlers to the New World. They landed near present-day North Carolina and built a fort on an island off the coast, known as Roanoke Island. The 108 men who made this voyage, however, were more interested in finding gold than in starting a colony. When they found no gold and their food and supplies began to run short, they were eager to return to England. A British warship finally arrived, and this first group of settlers left Roanoke and returned to England.

Summary of paragraph: ______

In 1587, Raleigh sent a second group of 117 settlers, including 14 families and 78 unmarried men, to Roanoke. Raleigh promised each settler a year’s supply of goods and supplies, as well as 500 acres of free land. After the colonists arrived in Roanoke, they began to prepare for their new life there. They soon realized, however, that they would need more supplies from England. Therefore, they urged the colony’s governor, John White, to return to England and bring back a new supply ship. Before Governor White left, his daughter gave birth to a girl named Virginia Dare - the first English child
born in America.

Summary of paragraph: ______

When John White reached England, he was not able to get the supplies the colonists needed. England was preparing to fight the Spanish Armada (fleet), and every ship was needed. As a result, White was not able to return to Roanoke for three years.

Summary of paragraph: ______

Finally, in August 1590, Governor White arrived back at Roanoke, eager to see his family and the other colonists. He was puzzled when no colonists came to greet the ship. When he reached the settlement, he found all the houses deserted. Governor White discovered a carving on a doorpost that read “CROATOAN” and the letters “CRO” carved on a tree. (Croatoan was the name of a nearby island and a local Native American tribe.) Upset and fearful, he sailed around the island searching for the colonists. Hoping to attract their attention, the sailors blew a horn and sang songs. They shouted the colonists’ names, but still no one answered. The colonists had disappeared. What happened to the Lost Colony? The answer will probably never be known . . .

Summary of paragraph: ______

You are a detective who has been assigned to investigate what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke. Based on the clues discussed in class and the facts listed below, develop a theory as to what YOU think happened to the settlers and WHY. You may write your theory in paragraph or bullet form…

My theory…