John Smith: An Unconventional Portrait of Colonial Era

658 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Changing native american stereotypes

John Smiths personal account of the New World describes the land in a plausible way that leaves the reader with the impression that exploration is something to be considered. While his personal account is rather offset by his personal agenda, his description is still a reliable source that can be referred to when referencing the colonial period. So, while his publications may not be the most accurate a lot of information can still be drawn from his situation by referencing the secondary sources that describe Smith on a more personal account. Taking the first step, looking at the sources. One can easily identify the hatred and egocentric aspects within Smiths life. While Smith seems to see himself as a leader, others saw him as one that wiggles himself into positions of power by playing off other people. His actions towards the Indians and his blatant disrespect for the powers governing him depicts him as a tyrant dictator. This is seen when Smith is ordered to step down as president of the colonies and refuses to do so, holding out until his original term expired on September 10th (Montgomery). Montgomery also shows what seems to be Smiths genuine attitude towards the natives that inhabit the land. While his own …show more content…

This is what makes Smiths account important because it is a vital document for historians to exam and determine what prejudices the immigrant coming over might have had about the Indians. Rhetoric present within the document also shows an underlying reason for Smiths bright illustrations of the New World. It seems that he is advocating for colonization. This is more than likely due to the absurd death rates experienced in the colony of Virginia, and Smith seemed to have a large leadership presence in it. As he would convince colonial officers to name him part of the council and later would briefly become president (Oakes

Show More
Related

  • John Cartwright Research Paper

    599 Words  | 2 Pages

    John Cartwright was born on the 9th of August 1965 in Penrith New South Wales to Merv Cartwright and Carole Cartwright. Cartwright is best known for playing rugby league for the Penrith Panthers, NSW Blues and the Australian Kangaroos.

    Read More

  • John J. Jodrey Research Paper

    778 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Entrepreneurs I've gotten was the Jodrey Family. I will first talk about Roy A. Jodrey who was the one that started it then lead to his son John J.Jodrey.

    Read More

  • How Did John Smith Influence The Settlement Of Jamestown

    600 Words  | 2 Pages

    He explored the chesapeake region's geography and sent information about the region back to England (John Smith). Smith learned to trade and make peace with the natives for the colonies survival (Szalay). Smith was important to keep the settlers in good health with the connections he had for food with the Powhatan Indian tribe. John also created highly accurate maps of the Chesapeake area and northern coast (Szalay). Creating the maps was one of the most important tasks John completed, the maps were then used by future explorers (Szalay). The books Smith wrote when he returned to England contained information about Jamestown and the New England territory (John Smith). The books could be accessed by anyone for the common knowledge Smith's

    Read More

  • John Smith: A Truthful Source on Early Colonial America?

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...t be read in such a light and contrast to other sources on early colonial history.

    Read More

  • John Roberts Research Paper

    601 Words  | 2 Pages

    An interesting chief of justice is John Roberts. Reason for this being is that he has participated in many important case in which have related to the violation of the first amendment. Chief Justice Roberts has had a successful start to his career and will be known for his very interesting cases and arguments.

    Read More

  • John Smith in Jamestown

    1212 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...into believing the English had enough stores of food actually help protect the colonists from attack. It also allowed Smith and the colonists to continue to bring back enough food and supplies to last the settlement through the first winter. By the second winter, John Smith had taken the position of President of the settlement. This put him in a position of power where he could invoke some rules among the colonists. Invoking the “he that will not work shall not eat” rule was a key factor in surviving this winter. During the same season the food supply again became dangerously low. Rats had again infested the main food supply. John cleverly divided the colonists into three groups. Despite the risk of having the settlement devastated by the division, Smith pulled it off and saved the colonists again. John Smith remained committed to the interests of the common man throughout his efforts in Jamestown. This character trait and well as his impulsiveness and temper outbursts weakened him in the eyes of the Virginia Company. Unfortunately, this shortened his time as a leader for the settlers. Despite his flaws, John Smith was a critical player in the success of the Jamestown settlement.

    Read More

  • Jamestown

    858 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reading the two arguments allows readers to detect many fallacies and strategies used in either authors writing to persuade the readers opinion. However, Kupperman’s view created the best argument. Whether someone agree or disagree with the argument would boil down to a personal belief of seeing the glass half empty or half full when it comes to Jamestown. Jamestown accomplished a task that no one had at that point from where they were from. Although Jamestown was did not get off to an ideal start it would be safe to say they are a success because they are still spoken of today as a vital part of American history.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast William Bradford And John Smith

    472 Words  | 1 Pages

    To start off, Smith tries to the persuade anybody to come to the new world. He does this by exaggerating all the good thing about the new world. For instance when he says “What can be more [fun then being able to plant plants, fruits and herbs at your own leisure]. He totally avoids the point that there are Indians in this place, also, that they don’t even know if their friendly or not. This is a contrast in the way that Bradford tries to persuade the upcoming generation. He does this by giving his own perspective of what he is or has been going through. For instance when he tells about all the deaths that happened on the voyage on the way to the new world or the turkey diner they had with the Indians.

    Read More

  • Proclamation Of 1763 Essay

    1560 Words  | 4 Pages

    After the French and Indian War, England had gained new territories west of the Appalachian mountains for which the Crown had specific plans which was to be laid out in the form of a proclamation. 1 The King issued the proclamation of 1763 which said that colonists would be prohibited from settling in the new lands west of the Appalachian divide. The King proclaimed that the newly acquired lands would be given to the Indians and no settlers could cross the divide, except traders licensed by the Crown. The Proclamation of 1763 was seen as the best way to prevent violence with the Indians, and keep the colonies close to the mother country. “western expansion seemed a good way to save money, prevent trouble with the Indians, and keep the colonies tied closely to the mother country.” (The American Nation 100). The Proclamation of 1763 was quickly followed by the Sugar Act , in 1764 and the Stamp Act a year later. These three decisions by the Crown brought together Colonists in opposition to the decisions and eventually opposition to the Crown itself. These Colonists, these soon to be revolutionaries and nation builders

    Read More

  • Pocahontas And John Smith's The New World

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    The New World is a film based on the Virginia Company and John Smith, British explorer, founding Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America and the Powhatan Indians. European nations came to America to increase their wealth and expand their trade routes; many of the settlers came to escape religious persecution. The chance meeting between John Smith and Pocahontas is how two cultures forever became intertwined. In the movie John Smith said, “Two no more, one I am” (The New World). We will see how such a simple statement unfolds and comes to fruition throughout the film.

    Read More

  • Pocahontas saved a life

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    Powhatans' tribe meant everything to him. He knew that he was their provider. He was going to do whatever it took to make sure that his tribe would be fed and warm. The only reason Smith even came into the picture was because he was attempting to capture the chief. The English colonists invited Powhatan to receive gifts and offer a crown to him and have him swear loyalty to King James I. Powhatan was a very smart man so he then said, "If your king have sent me presents, I also am a king, and this my land. Your father is to come to me, not I to him, nor yet to y...

    Read More

  • David Johnson Research Paper

    308 Words  | 1 Pages

    He was the fifth of Six kids.He was born in Memphis on December 16 1991.His Mother,Regina Johnson,Was single.His Older Sister Danielle,Him and his younger sister Darnecia were triplets.When they were one Regina struggled to find and keep a job.His mother moved to Iowa to find as many jobs as possible.

    Read More

  • John Smith's Relationship With The Powhatan Tribe

    243 Words  | 1 Pages

    In Chapter 4, the English settler’s relationship with the Powhatan tribe took a turn for the worse. John Smith became greedy for corn and food, but he wasn’t making a thorough effort to produce food himself. Smith often became violent with the Powhatan people. After being generously helped by the tribes, he responded by turning guns people and forcing them to give him food. His self-centered greed for corn made Chief Wahunseneca angry. The Chief expressed his anger to John Smith. He was especially angry because he had trusted the English colonist and even made him a werowance. However, Wahunseneca stayed calm, and he encouraged peace. Smith recounted the story by saying he was in danger, and he was saved again by Pocahontas. He claimed that

    Read More

  • Clarke Anderson Research Paper

    607 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is important for people to have names, because your name and describes who you are and shapes your identity. I am Charles Fredrick Burke Anderson. I may have common names, but they come from a proud heritage. My name Charles has a long history, and many people have my name, but each person with the name Charles has his own history of how or why he got that name. Even though many people have the same name as me, we are all one of a kind.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Description Of New England By John Smith

    394 Words  | 1 Pages

    In “A Description of New England,” John Smith documents his time in New England while trying to persuade several audiences to travel or to fund a third expedition to the New World with him as a leader. More specifically, Smith uses certain details to entice readers of two vastly different audiences: the poor and idle, the rich and generous, and evangelists. Smith’s main motive for writing “A Description of New England” is to persuade others to allow him to have a chance to go back to the New World as a leader, since he was previously unsuccessful. Smith’s use of exaggeration further convinces his various audiences that he can easily help them gain fortune from the New World.

    Read More

More about John Smith: An Unconventional Portrait of Colonial Era

Open Document