Unit 2: No Thanks, No Giving (1ère Générale)

The Real Story of Pocahontas

We have learned that Pocahontas, a famous Native American, was born in 1595 in the region of Virginia. It is interesting to note that her original name was Matoaka. Her father was a powerful chief of several tribes of the area named Powhatan. Besides, her father was also the highest authority the British colonists faced when they arrived there in 1607.

We have learned about the legendary story of the first meeting of Pocahontas and John Smith. In 1607, Smith was kidnapped and tortured by some Native Americans. During a ritual ceremony led by Chief Powhatan in which he was about to kill Smith, Pocahontas came to save him, she was about 12 years old at the time. Thanks to this event, Pocahontas and Smith became friends. Powhatan even adopted Smith as his son. However, tensions appeared between the Indians and the British settlers. There were conflicts in the different trading. Smith’s life was once more in danger, therefore he had to go back to England in 1609. Pocahontas did not have the real information as some settlers told her Smith was dead.

Firstly, Pocahontas may have married an Indian man called Kocoum. However, in 1613, Pocahontas was kidnapped by the British settlers. During her captivity, she met a tobacco planter named John Rolfe. On top of that, Pocahontas decided to change her name to be called Rebecca (meaning “Mother of two peoples”) and to marry John Rolfe pacify the relationship between the two communities. They married in April 1614, then, they had a son in 1615 called Thomas, born in Virginia.

In 1616, Pocahontas went to England for the first time and met King James I and the Royal family. She was considered as a Princess and an Ambassador from the New Land, Virginia. Unfortunately, during her stay in England she got deathly sick and died in 1617 at 22 years old.

 Homework: Learn the lesson.