USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The winter of 1609-1610 in Jamestown is referred to as the “starving time.” Disease, violence, drought, a meager harvest followed by a harsh winter, and poor drinking water left the majority of colonists dead that winter.

Detailed explanation-2: -Only 60 of 500 colonists survived the period, now known as “the starving time.” Historians have never determined exactly why so many perished, although disease, famine (spurred by the worst drought in 800 years, as climate records indicate), and Indian attacks took their toll.

Detailed explanation-3: -In early Jamestown, so many colonists died because of diseases. According to document A, “Because the adjacent river and creek became brackish as water levels rose, reliable sources of fresh water would have been scarce….” This shows that so many colonist got sick due to the lack of fresh water.