The Starving Time AP US History quiz

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌍 Context: The Starving Time refers to the winter of 1609-1610 in the Jamestown colony, Virginia.
• 📉 Causes: A combination of drought, poor relations with Native Americans, and the colonists' focus on finding gold rather than farming led to severe food shortages.
• 💀 Mortality: Of the approximately 500 colonists in Jamestown at the start of the winter, only about 60 survived.
• 🍖 Desperate Measures: Colonists resorted to eating horses, dogs, cats, rats, and even leather from their shoes.
• 📜 Accounts of Cannibalism: Archaeological evidence and historical accounts suggest instances of cannibalism occurred during this period.
• 👑 Impact: The Starving Time significantly weakened the Jamestown colony, but it managed to survive due to the arrival of supply ships and a renewed focus on agriculture, particularly tobacco cultivation.
• 🗓️ Key Date: Winter of 1609-1610

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following factors contributed MOST to the Starving Time at Jamestown?
   1. A) A surplus of food supplies leading to wastefulness.
   2. B) A severe drought and poor relations with Native Americans.
   3. C) The colonists' strong agricultural skills.
   4. D) A lack of interest in finding gold.
2. Approximately how many Jamestown colonists survived the Starving Time?
   1. A) 500
   2. B) 250
   3. C) 120
   4. D) 60
3. During the Starving Time, what extreme measure did some colonists resort to in order to survive?
   1. A) Trading with Spanish settlements.
   2. B) Developing new farming techniques.
   3. C) Cannibalism.
   4. D) Sending expeditions back to England for supplies.
4. What was the primary focus of the Jamestown colonists that diverted their attention away from farming before the Starving Time?
   1. A) Building infrastructure.
   2. B) Exploring new territories.
   3. C) Establishing trade routes with Europe.
   4. D) Searching for gold.
5. The Starving Time took place during which winter?
   1. A) 1606-1607
   2. B) 1607-1608
   3. C) 1608-1609
   4. D) 1609-1610
6. What ultimately helped the Jamestown colony recover after the Starving Time?
   1. A) Discovery of silver mines.
   2. B) Improved relations with local tribes.
   3. C) The arrival of supply ships and focus on tobacco cultivation.
   4. D) Implementation of democratic governance.
7. Which of the following is NOT a factor that led to the Starving Time?
   1. A) Drought
   2. B) Poor relations with Native Americans
   3. C) Focus on finding gold
   4. D) Overpopulation