Jamestown: The Most Important Settlement In The History Of America
Jamestown is the most important settlement in the history of America. Why? If not for the brave men (and women) who completed the long journey from Europe to the Americas, we might be speaking Spanish. If not for their integrity and determination, there might still be wars going on between the Spanish, French, English, and the Indians.
One of the most important members of the Jamestown colony was John Smith. However, unlike the many nobleman who made this voyage to find riches and fame, Smith (who was also interested in gold and fame) truly cared about his fellow comrades. He was loud and outspoken, and people listened to him. The leaders of the voyage were afraid that a rebellion would start, and the noblemen would get into a fight with the common …show more content…
After disease, starvation, poisoned water, and Indian attacks wiped out about half of their population, Smith decided to go and negotiate with the Indians, even though their relations were tense. Their chief, Powhatan, had a young (10-12 year old) daughter, who was impressed by Smith and the trinkets he brought to trade. She helped convince her father to trade with the Indians. John Smith wrote about how she saved his life (in his journal), but Many historians believe that he exaggerated this. Pocahontas was not, however, attracted to John Smith (mind the age gap), and their marriage is only a myth.
The English settlers were very afraid of a Spanish invasion, and they expected the Native Americans to treat them like gods. This did not happen. There is no record of a Spanish attack on the Jamestown colony, so their paranoia was completely necessary. Some historians doubt that the Spanish even knew the location of English colony. The biggest threats were all around them -- the heat, the salty water, mistrust, and of course, the Indians. At one point, their rations included half a pound of wheat and half a pound of barley, infected with
One of the most important members of the Jamestown colony was John Smith. However, unlike the many nobleman who made this voyage to find riches and fame, Smith (who was also interested in gold and fame) truly cared about his fellow comrades. He was loud and outspoken, and people listened to him. The leaders of the voyage were afraid that a rebellion would start, and the noblemen would get into a fight with the common …show more content…
After disease, starvation, poisoned water, and Indian attacks wiped out about half of their population, Smith decided to go and negotiate with the Indians, even though their relations were tense. Their chief, Powhatan, had a young (10-12 year old) daughter, who was impressed by Smith and the trinkets he brought to trade. She helped convince her father to trade with the Indians. John Smith wrote about how she saved his life (in his journal), but Many historians believe that he exaggerated this. Pocahontas was not, however, attracted to John Smith (mind the age gap), and their marriage is only a myth.
The English settlers were very afraid of a Spanish invasion, and they expected the Native Americans to treat them like gods. This did not happen. There is no record of a Spanish attack on the Jamestown colony, so their paranoia was completely necessary. Some historians doubt that the Spanish even knew the location of English colony. The biggest threats were all around them -- the heat, the salty water, mistrust, and of course, the Indians. At one point, their rations included half a pound of wheat and half a pound of barley, infected with