Are you one of those people that's more interested in the politics and events leading up to history's wars rather than the wars themselves? Then this is the show for you.
Welcome to Why Wars Happened, where we dive into the fascinating political intrigue behind history's biggest wars.
I'm your host, Emily Ross. Each season, we focus on a different historical war and every Wednesday, we release a new episode, cont ...
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Mass death, starvation, and bad rulers forces Virginia’s government to collapse. Democracy saves The Virginia Company from Virginia’s terrible reputation. King James is forced to allow democracy, despite his distaste for it. In this episode of 'Why Wars Happened,' host Emily Ross takes us on a wild ride through Virginia in the early 1600s. We get into the juicy details of how Virginia's colonists went from just trying to make a buck with tobacco, to setting up their own government with elected reps—much to King James' dismay. It's all about the push for democracy, some old-school power struggles, and how these early moves set the stage for the American Revolution. Tune in for all the drama, from canceled charters to nose-thumbing at royal rules. Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Sign up for our history newsletter on: www.whywarshappened.com Comment your thoughts below! 00:00 Introduction to the American Revolution 00:15 Virginia's Early Economy and Tobacco Trade 01:02 The Third Charter and Virginia's Governance 01:49 Establishing Democracy in Virginia 02:58 The Role of the Assembly and Governance Challenges 03:55 The Impact of the Virginia Company 07:37 The Assembly's Authority and Early Laws 12:39 The Struggle for Power and Taxation 15:39 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview #history #americanrevolution #americanhistory #britishhistory #war #england #englishhistory #colonialhistory #colonial #virginia
Cruel punishments, a “Damned Crew” from hell, and the warning signs of a deadly massacre in early Jamestown. Explore the turbulent early years of the Virginia colony! From the harsh rule of Jamestown's governors to the tobacco boom that saved the colony, we delve into its rocky start. Learn how attempts at iron production were thwarted by the massacre of 1622 and how glass-making efforts fell apart due to illness and bad luck. Discover the fierce battle over tobacco trade between Virginia, England, and Spain, and the financial juggling acts by King James. And uncover the truth behind the establishment of democracy in Virginia, a move to salvage its dire reputation. Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Sign up for our history newsletter on: www.whywarshappened.com Comment your thoughts below! 00:00 Introduction to the American Revolution 00:16 Jamestown's Early Struggles and Governance 01:47 Economic Motivations for Colonization 02:28 The Tobacco Boom 04:53 Iron and Glass Ventures 06:39 The Massacre of 1622 and Its Aftermath 10:00 Tobacco Trade Conflicts with England and Spain 12:43 King James' Restrictions and Colonial Resistance 20:14 The Virginia Company's Demise 21:00 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode #history #americanrevolution #americanhistory #britishhistory #war #england #englishhistory #colonialhistory #colonial #virginia
Starving colonists forced to work, whipped, and cold water poured down their sleeves if they swore. Colonists sweeten the tobacco plant to sell it, colonists attempt to flee Jamestown, only to be forced back by the miraculous timing of an English ship. Dive into the chaotic history of Jamestown in this episode of 'Why Wars Happened.' We explore the early struggles of the colonists, from vicious power games to the devastating 'starving time.' Meet John Smith, the tough guy who made everyone work, and follow the rollercoaster ride of the colony's leadership. Discover how tobacco sweetened Jamestown’s bitter start and turned it into a thriving settlement despite brutal laws and ongoing battles with the natives. A fascinating look at how sheer desperation and determination helped keep the colony alive! Please subscribe so you never miss an episode! Sign up for our history newsletter on: www.whywarshappened.com Comment your thoughts below! 00:00 Introduction to the American Revolution 00:16 The Early Struggles of Jamestown 02:08 John Smith's Leadership and the Starving Time 04:23 Governor Gates and the Abandonment Plan 05:36 Lord De La Warr's Arrival and Strict Governance 08:13 The Establishment of Henrico and Harsh Laws 13:36 The Tobacco Boom and Economic Transformation 16:48 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode #history #americanrevolution #americanhistory #britishhistory #war #england #englishhistory #colonialhistory #colonial #virginia
Starvation and high school cliques in early Jamestown? Things in Pocahontas that actually happened? John Smith becomes a "good" dictator? Join us as we dive into the wild early days of Jamestown. The first permanent English colony in America was anything but peaceful, with secret councils, imprisonment of John Smith, vicious power struggles, and even starvation. Discover how John Smith navigated through rumors, imprisonment, an explosion, and political turmoil to rise to power. Along the way, we'll unravel which things in the movie Pocahontas were real, and which ones weren’t, making history as dramatic as any blockbuster movie. Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Sign up for our history newsletter on: www.whywarshappened.com Comment your thoughts below! 00:00 Introduction to the American Revolution 00:15 The Virginia Company and Early Governance 01:12 John Smith's Trials and Tribulations 02:43 Council Conflicts and Power Struggles 06:51 Starvation and Mismanagement 09:13 The Shift Towards a Governorship 12:21 John Smith's Final Days in Power 18:12 The Return of the Council and New Leadership 19:38 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode #history #americanrevolution #americanhistory #britishhistory #war #england #englishhistory #colonialhistory #colonial #virginia
John Smith imprisoned on the ship to Virginia? Secret names locked in a box? A company, and not the king, was behind the first permanent English colony in America? In this episode of Why Wars Happened, we explore how a broke King James I needing quick cash, led to the formation of The Virginia Company. We dive into the adventures of the colonists, the rocky start, and the high-level drama involving John Smith, who was chained to the floor of one of the the ships, before they even reached Virginia's shores. Tune in for an intriguing tale of debt, charters, and the birth of a new English stronghold! Please subscribe so you don't miss one of the weekly episodes! Find us on: www.whywarshappened.com to sign up for our history newsletter! How could people actually believe that John Smith was planning on murdering them and making himself king? Why wouldn't they let John Smith stretch his legs on the long journey to Virginia? Would permanent colonization of Virginia have been successful without a company running things? Comment your thoughts below! 00:00 Introduction to Why Wars Happened 00:15 King James I's Financial Crisis 01:14 The Virginia Company and Its Mission 02:32 The Importance of the King's Charter 04:00 The Governance Structure of the Virginia Colony 06:19 Challenges and Drama in the New Colony 08:16 John Smith's Journey and Imprisonment 10:56 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode #history #americanrevolution #americanhistory #britishhistory #war #england #englishhistory #colonialhistory #colonial #jamestown #virginia #johnsmith #virginia