Program Information

While English settlers were making contact with the Powhatan Indians in Virginia, Britain was already interacting with other exotic cultures to the east. "The World of 1607" puts the founding of Jamestown in a global context while focusing on worldwide cultural developments during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Transcript

Lead: While English settlers were making contact with the Powhatan Indians in Virginia, Britain was already interacting with other exotic cultures to the east.

Intro: I’m Steve Clark with “The World of 1607”, Jamestown in a global context, sponsored by Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum near Williamsburg, Virginia.

Content: Competing with France and Spain, 17th century England turned to trade with Russia, the Mediterranean and North Africa. While Jamestown settlers were struggling just to survive, other Englishmen were reaping financial and cultural riches. Curator Doctor Tom Davidson says trade, particularly with the Moors and Turks, influenced the thoughts, beliefs and economy of the British.

“During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, England became much more involved with the Moorish states of North Africa. The character of Othello, Shakespeare’s hero of the play of the same name, was probably inspired by these contacts.”

Conclusion: To learn more, visit Jamestown Settlement or history is fun dot org.

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