The Starving Time

For John, BLUF:  The Jamestown Colony almost was failing, until they introduced capitalism.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

The Smithsonian Magazine has the headline and the story—"Starving Settlers in Jamestown Colony Resorted to Cannibalism"

Over at The [Lowell] Sun it was one of the Thursday Quick Ten Picks for headlines.

At The Boston Globe it was a teaser and then behind the pay wall:

Archaeologists excavating a trash pit at the Jamestown colony site in Virginia have found the first physical evidence of cannibalism among the desperate population, corroborating written accounts left behind by witnesses.

But, it was the Instapundit who framed the story as he linked to the Smithsonian Magazine.

WHEREVER SOCIALISM GOES, STARVATION FOLLOWS: Starving Settlers in Jamestown Colony Resorted to Cannibalism.

Then he goes on to note:

Yes, Jamestown started out without free enterprise and people starved.  Then private property was recognized, and saved the day.  Also as usual.  That’s when the American exceptionalism got started.

Insty may have been a little stark in the way he drew it, but he is basically correct.  Socialism goes in the wrong direction.

Regards  —  Cliff