How the reasons led to the failure of the colony
1. First colonists arrived too late to plant crops
2. One of the ships let in seawater, destroying the food it was carrying
3. Conflict between the leaders of the expeditions
4. The leader of the second expedition abandoned the colony in 1587
5. Both expeditions lacked the experience and skills needed for success
6. Algonquian Chief Wingina led an attack on the colonists in 1586
7. The second colony was abandoned at some point between 1587-1590
8. England was at war with Spain, unable to provide for the colony
9. Colonists abandoned the first colony in 1586 due to lack of self-sufficiency
10. The second "lost" colony may have struggled to feed itself, becoming dependent on local tribes
11. Poor leadership provided little direction or purpose
12. Merchants and landowners lacked physical capacity for manual work
13. Lack of stone meant no stone fort was built, leaving the colony vulnerable
14. Soldiers could defend but lacked farming skills
15. Wingina's attack led to a crisis in the first expedition, forcing them to abandon Roanoke
16. The second expedition may have been wiped out by an attack led by Chief Powhatan
17. Alternatively, some settlers may have become slaves or assimilated into local tribes
18. The threat from the Armada meant few ships were available to visit or resupply the colony
19. The colonists became increasingly isolated and vulnerable to attack
