Zack Dirmeyer

2/2/14
DBQ analysis
DBQ Analysis:
John Smith is put in a desperate situation to feed the residents of the newly formed
Jamestown settlement, he must convince the hostile Powhatan people to trade food. Jamestown
was settled in 1607, in response to the growing tension between England, France, and Spain.
Jamestown was established to find gold, a passage through the new world to Asia, and to gain a
foothold in the new world. Located in present day Virginia, the Jamestown people are in a
perilous situation, after the Powhatan people discover their existence, and after a prior
experience with Spanish Missionaries, leaves the Native Americans weary of the English settlers.
With this tension sparked a story which has been the center of controversy for centuries.
Pocahontas did in fact rescue John Smith after his infamous nightmare with her tribe. Pocahontas
actions were justified from her political clout within the Powhatan tribe, she became an instant
celebrity in the English people, and John Smith mentioned her periodically throughout history.
Pocahontas had political standing within the networking of the Powhatan people, and
most definitely had the power to rescue John Smith. Pocahontas was the daughter of the Indian
Chief of the Powhatan people, the strongest tribe in the region. The purpose of John Smiths
recount was to inform the general public of his experience with Pocahontas saving him from his
impending doom. The document was created at the time to show how Pocahontas displayed
immense bravery by her standing in the tribe to save the enemy. John Smith had a very close
encounter with death, but thanks to Pocahontas political power he prevailed.

Pocahontas came to England in 1617, and became an immediate celebrity. Her presence
was enticing, sense she was a Native Christian women, spoke English, and the first native in the
U.K. The purpose of Paul Lewiss interpretation of the event in 1966 was an informational piece
to tell readers Pocahontas presence turned a lot of heads, and John Smith continued to expand on
how she saved him. This document was created to cause suspicion amongst John Smiths claims
about what truly occurred. However, a woman especially of ethnicity saving an Englishman
unable to do so himself was considered embarrassing to a man of his level, in the era. However,
when the public glorified Pocahontas actions, more than likely John Smith became more
comfortable to share the truth behind his frightful experience. Pocahontas definitely had
involvement with the safety of John Smith, and her growing fame enhanced John Smiths reason
to reveal his true encounter the Indian princess.
Often Times John Smiths recounts are strictly related to his 1624 memoir account about
Pocahontass actions; however his ordeal was mentioned a number of times throughout the years.
Settling in the new world was widely controversial and dangerous, so John Smith was faced with
important choices he had to make to ensure Jamestowns survival. John Smiths 1608 account
was written to tell the English civilians that the Powhatan people pose no harm, and are on good
terms with the settlers. This document was created to most likely get the supply line still flowing
to Jamestown, and if news broke about a dangerous tribe infiltrating Jamestown, they would not
receive the skill laborers they so desperately needed. Therefore, this account usually causes
speciation amongst historians opinions on the event; however in Jay Leos account in 1991, he is
directing his audience towards information stating John Smith already wrote to Queen Anne
informing her of Pocahontass bravery and other spectacular qualities, before her infamous
arrival to England. This Document was created to give the general public about the history of

documents written about Pocahontas by John Smith. John Smith wrote about Pocahontas
multiple times before his 1624 account, and even though his 1608 account contradicts the rest of
his statements, there is evidence that shows maybe it was a strategic writing piece to save
Jamestown, and with the 1616 letter to Queen Anne, there is no doubt Pocahontas saved John
Smith.
Roanoke and the event that took place in Jamestown have very similar qualities. They
both only have one eyewitness account of the findings at each settlement. However the
difference between John Whites account and John Smith is that thanks to john smith we do know
what happened at Jamestown. Pocahontas did save John Smith from her own tribe, and do to
Smiths several accounts we know she was the Indian princess of the region and most definitely
could have saved him. Her growing fame in the Old World only helped develop John Smiths
claims about her. Finally, Smiths accounts are said throughout history, and even personally to
the Queen of England herself. There is no doubt Pocahontas have involvement in protecting John
Smith from her people.