Beech Tree News Network

America’s First Experiment with Communism:  Since the nation’s beginning, Americans have flirted with the system of Communism. It has never worked. America’s first experiment with a form of Communism occurred in the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia. Its founders adopted a form of Communism in their charter. In this charter, Jamestown used a common-store system to feed their settlers. Under this system, each person put their product into one communal storehouse, and all settlers were able to access the common-store according to their need. As time went on, the few industrious workers were essentially supplying food for the entire settlement. With the few providing for the many, the food supply quickly dwindled. The common-store system was a failure.
    It was only under Captain John Smith’s new food system that the settlers were able to thrive. Under this system, each person had to provide for his own family. The system established accountability for each worker, and it made sure that each one would work so that they could eat the food they produced. With the failing of the common-store system, the settlers adopted a capitalistic economy which set a precedent for the economy which the United States has today.

 Aaron Jacobs lives in Butler County and is a homeschooler in his junior year of high school. He plays the mandolin and enjoys bluegrass music. Aaron also enjoys reading and studying American history.