Census and Struggles of First Settlers

The beginning of the colonial period brought nearly one million people from Europe and Africa to the first colonies. There were about 600,000 Europeans and nearly 300,000 Africans. What is so significant about the two numbers is the ratio of slaves to freemen. This is because all of the Africans were slaves, and nearly half of the Europeans were as well. This unreasonable ratio left freemen as the minority. At the end of the colonial period(1790) the first census was taken by the people of the United States. The total population amounted to nearly four million persons. Among that population was 3.1 million whites and 750,000 blacks. It must be made known that the native population was excluded.

Initially the populations of the first colonies had a difficult time establishing the colonies and improving the conditions. The first settlers had this issue because of three major reasons. First, the first settlers were very unprepared and had come to the colonies without the proper necessities. The settlers were not only exhausted from the trip but their supplies were dwindling. Second, The positioning and timing of the first colonies did not work in their favor. Not only did the settlers of jamestown land in a swamp that had salt contaminated fresh water but the area was also experiencing a drought. Lastly, Death rates from disease and malnutrition were staggering. Disease from several different causes made life for the first settlers difficult. It was argued by Edmund S. Morgan that not until 1700 did the birth rate in Virginia exceed the death toll.