U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What was the primary purpose of the founding of Jamestown?

1. Trade and farming

2. Religious freedom

3. Military expansion

4. Land exploration

The correct answer is: Trade and farming

The founding of Jamestown in 1607 primarily aimed to enhance trade and farming efforts. Established by the Virginia Company, it represented a commercial venture to find gold, silver, and other profitable resources in the New World. The colonists sought to establish a settlement that could generate revenue through the extraction of natural resources, and later, they focused on cultivating tobacco, which became a significant cash crop. While options like religious freedom played a major role in the establishment of other colonies, such as those in New England, Jamestown's founders were primarily motivated by commercial gain. Military expansion and land exploration were relevant but secondary reasons. The colony's ultimate success depended on its ability to sustain itself through trade and agricultural practices, making trade and farming the correct focus.