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!

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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

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