The True Story Of Pocahontas: The Other Side Of History.
When we think of Pocahontas, we often think of a beautiful Native American woman who fell in love with a white man and helped to bring peace between two cultures. However, the true story of Pocahontas is far more complicated and nuanced than the one we’ve been told. In this article, we’ll explore the other side of history and shed light on the real Pocahontas.
Who Was Pocahontas?
Pocahontas was born in 1596 in the Tsenacommacah, a confederation of Algonquian-speaking tribes in present-day Virginia. Her father was the chief of the Powhatan tribe, one of the most powerful tribes in the region. Pocahontas was her childhood nickname, which meant “playful one” or “ill-behaved child.” Her real name was Matoaka.
Pocahontas is best known for her interactions with English colonizers in Virginia. In 1607, when she was just 11 years old, the English established their first permanent settlement in America, Jamestown. Pocahontas was one of the first Native Americans to meet the English, and she quickly became a bridge between the two cultures.
Pocahontas and John Smith: The Myth
One of the most enduring myths about Pocahontas is her supposed romantic relationship with John Smith, the leader of the Jamestown colony. According to the popular story, Pocahontas saved Smith from execution by her father, Chief Powhatan, by placing her head on top of his just as he was about to be clubbed to death.
However, there is no contemporary evidence to support this story. Smith did write about being saved by Pocahontas in his journals, but he never mentioned anything romantic between them. It’s possible that Smith made up the story to enhance his own reputation or to create a heroic narrative for the colonizers.
Pocahontas and John Rolfe: The Reality
While there is no evidence of a romantic relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith, there is evidence of a relationship between Pocahontas and another Englishman, John Rolfe. Rolfe was a tobacco farmer who arrived in Virginia in 1610. He and Pocahontas were married in 1614, and they had a son named Thomas.
The marriage between Pocahontas and Rolfe was not a love match. It was a political alliance that was intended to bring peace between the Powhatan tribe and the English colonizers. The marriage was controversial on both sides, and it did not have the desired effect of bringing lasting peace.
Pocahontas: A Pawn in the Colonizers’ Game
Pocahontas’ life was shaped by the conflict between her people and the English colonizers. She was used as a pawn in the colonizers’ game of power and control. Her marriage to John Rolfe was just one example of this.
After her marriage, Pocahontas traveled to England with Rolfe and their son. She was presented as a “civilized” Native American, and she was used as a tool to promote the idea of English superiority. Pocahontas was paraded around London and introduced to King James I and Queen Anne.
Pocahontas died in England in 1617 at the age of 21. The cause of her death is unknown, but it’s believed to have been a respiratory illness. She was buried in the parish church of St. George in Gravesend, Kent.
The Legacy of Pocahontas
Pocahontas has become a symbol of the early interactions between Native Americans and English colonizers. Her story has been romanticized and mythologized, but the reality is far more complicated. Pocahontas was a complex, multi-dimensional person who was caught between two worlds.
Today, Pocahontas is remembered for her bravery, her intelligence, and her role as a bridge between two cultures. She is a reminder of the complex and often painful history of America, and she inspires us to learn more about the people and cultures that came before us.