At the beginning of the 17th century, Spain’s empire included vast expanses of the Americas. James I of England knew he must act quickly if he wants to establish his own colonies. The attempt to establish the Roanoke Colony 30 years earlier was a complete failure. Could Jamestown, founded by a small group of men 3,500 miles from home in unknown, hostile territory survive? This is the complete story of how an Indian Princess became a cultural ambassador and helped save the first successful English colony in the Americas.
Titles include:
The Establishment of Jamestown: Pocahontas and Captain John Smith The Virginia Company established the first permanent English settlement in 1607. It wasn't easy. There was a lack of food, unknown diseases and a hostile native population. The situation was desperate. Then Captain John Smith was captured by Chief Powhatan. His daughter, Pocahontas, interceded to spare Smith's life. They began learning each others language and customs. The Tribe and colonists began to intermingle and attacks stopped. If it were not for the help of the Native Americans the colonists would not have survived the first harsh winter.
The Starving Time & Salvation: Pocahontas and John Rolfe In the spring more colonists arrived, including women and children. The colony flourished. Then John Smith was injured and had to return to England. Pocahontas stopped visiting Jamestown and relations deteriorated. Years of war, hardship and starvation followed for the colony. It was Pocahontas' eventual marriage to colonist John Rolfe that brought peace and success. When she visited England she was treated like the royalty she was. Her descendants became an aristocratic lineage that continues today. The colonization of the Americas is a horrible history of the destruction of native societies. The story of Pocahontas is one bright spot in this ugliness. |