Which colony was established primarily for growing tobacco?
1. Plymouth
2. Massachusetts bay
3. Virginia
4. Rhode Island
3. Virginia
The colony that was primarily established for growing tobacco is Virginia, option 3.
The colony that was primarily established for growing tobacco is Virginia. To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the history of the American colonies and their economic activities.
1. Plymouth: Plymouth was founded by the Pilgrims in 1620. They were primarily seeking religious freedom rather than establishing an economy based on tobacco cultivation. The Pilgrims engaged in agricultural activities such as farming and fishing.
2. Massachusetts Bay: Massachusetts Bay Colony, established in 1630, was founded by the Puritans. Similar to Plymouth, the primary motivation behind its establishment was religious freedom. The residents of Massachusetts Bay Colony engaged in various economic activities such as trade, fishing, and farming, but tobacco cultivation was not their primary focus.
3. Virginia: Virginia was the colony primarily established for growing tobacco. Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, was established in Virginia in 1607. The Virginia Company of London intended to generate profits through the production and exportation of tobacco, which proved to be a successful endeavor. Tobacco became the staple crop of the Virginia colony, and its cultivation played a crucial role in the economic development and prosperity of the region.
4. Rhode Island: Rhode Island, established in 1636, was founded by Roger Williams as a haven for religious minorities seeking more tolerance. The colony was known for its religious freedom and democratic principles. While agriculture was practiced in Rhode Island, particularly in the form of small-scale farming, tobacco was not the primary crop grown there.
In summary, the colony primarily established for growing tobacco was Virginia.