Historys Mysteries

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Historys Mysteries
Roanoke Island Colony
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LOST COLONY OF ROANOKE

• In 1587 Sir Walter Raleigh sent 91 men, 17
  women and 2 children to a small island off the
  coast of North America. The colony was to be
  lead by John White. Shortly after their arrival,
  White returned to England to gather more supplies
  and settlers. Along with the other colonists, he
  left behind his daughter, son-in-law and their
  small daughter. Because of Englands war with
  Spain, White was unable to return until 1590.
  When he did return he found the island totally
  deserted. No trace of the colony has ever been
  found. The fate of the Lost Colony remains a
  mystery to this day.

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DATA SET 1
This photo was taken by a weather satellite and
shows the southern coastline of the United States
along the Atlantic Ocean. Roanoke Island is
labeled with a red R. Based on this
information what theories can you come up with
about possible causes for the disappearance of
the Lost Colony?
Virginia
R
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
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Data Set 2

• Two years before the Lost Colony, Raleigh
  had sent an expedition of 108 men, mostly
  soldiers, to Roanoke. They came searching for
  gold and silver.
• Overall, they appeared more like a military
  force than a colony of settlers. The soldiers
  lacked the skills to farm or live off the land
  and were dependent on local tribes to supply
  their most basic needs.
• Because they were also unfamiliar with local
  customs disagreements would often erupt during
  these trading sessions.
• After only one year, and much fighting with
  local tribes, this group evacuated the island and
  returned to England.

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Based on this new information, what theories can
you come up with now to explain the disappearance
of the Lost Colony two years later?
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Data Set 3

• When Governor White finally did return to
  Roanoke, he found no trace of the settlers. All
  that was discovered were the letters CRO carved
  on a wall and the word Croatoan carved on a
  post outside the colonys fort.
• This was the given name for several small
  islands near Roanoke inhabited by the Coharie
  Tribe. White had told the colonists to carve a
  message in case of an emergency and to include a
  cross if they were under attack
• ..no cross was ever found.

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Based on this information, what new theories
can you think of to explain the disappearance of
the Lost Colony?
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Data Set 4

• During the late 1580s England was in open
  war with Spain. England was challenging Spain
  for control of the sea and looking to get a share
  of the riches being brought back from the
  Caribbean. (You knowPirates of the
  Caribbeanyeah, that time)
• Many of those pirates, including Sir Walter
  Raleigh (Roanokes founder) and Sir Francis
  Drake, were known as Privateers, pirates who
  worked, unofficially, for Queen Elizabeth of
  England.
• In addition to Spains control of Central and
  South America, Spain also controlled the Florida
  territory, (just south of Roanoke). In 1586 Sir
  Francis Drake had led an attack on the Spanish
  settlement of St. Augustine, Florida.

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Based on this new information, what new theories
can you develop about the fate of the Lost
Colony?
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HYPOTHESIZE

• It is now your job to do the work of the
  historian. Do an internet search of your own
  (use yahoo, google, or whatever search site you
  want).
• You are searching for 2 or 3 new pieces of
  information or clues about the Lost Colony of
  Roanoke.
• Use that information to either reinforce one
  of your earlier theoriesor, perhaps, form an
  entirely new theory as to what happened off the
  coast of North Carolina more than 400 years ago.
  GOOD HUNTING!

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WHAT I WANT FROM YOU

• You will be writing a three paragraph,
  persuasive essay. Paragraph one should explain
  your final theory, or hypothesis (what do you
  think actually happened). Paragraph two should
  explain why you think evidence of other options
  does not explain the disappearance correctly.
  Paragraph three should reinforce your opinion by
  presenting the evidence you found in your own
  research and explain why it is more compelling
  than other options. Have someone proof-read your
  essay before printing a final copy. Due next
  class period.