The document summarizes the founding and early struggles of the first English colonies in North America, including Jamestown and Plymouth. It explains that Jamestown was established in 1607 as England's first permanent North American settlement but faced many hardships due to its inland location, aristocratic leadership unsuited for farming, and later conflicts with Native Americans. The colony only began to prosper once tobacco farming took hold and representative government was established. Plymouth Colony was founded by Pilgrims in 1620 who signed the Mayflower Compact to ensure self-governance before facing a difficult first winter with help from local Natives like Squanto.