Pocahontas Research Paper

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Powhatan was a powerful chief who had many wives, of them he had a favorite daughter named Matoaka which means the playful one. She was born around 1595 into the Algonkian Tribe as a princess. The name Matoaka could only be used within her own clan, so that is where then name Pocahontas came from, which means mischievous. Powhatan was in control of many tribes which gave his children a somewhat easy lifestyle. Pocahontas was a curious person with an interest in the English language, and would visit the colonist often. During this time Pocahontas met and befriended John Smith, they would teach each other their language and customs. Pocahontas saw how the colonist were suffering with low food supplies and urged her people to help them. Powhatan …show more content…

Chief Powhatan did not comply knowing they would treat her well, Pocahontas was then taken in by alexander Whitaker, a minister, he taught Pocahontas all the english customs and made her leave her culture behind. Pocahontas was baptized as a christian and renamed Rebecca. During this time a man named John Rolfe fell in love with her but hesitated marrying her because she was an Indian. He asked the Government of Jamestown if this was okay to do, which they consulted Chief Powhatan about, which resulted in less conflict and battles. at18 years old in 1614 Pocahontas married John Rolfe and lived on a piece of land given to them as a marriage gift from her father. A year after the marriage Pocahontas had a son and named him Thomas. Her goal in Jamestown was that Indian children could go to school and the peace could continue. In the spring of 1616 Pocahontas, John and their son along with a dozen Powhatan people traveled to England and were quite the sensation. They attended many events including meeting the royal family thanks to John Smith. When Pocahontas met John Smith again she was stunned and in shock because she thought he had died. Pocahontas called John Smith her father as a way to show their close relationship. Shortly after, in the spring of March 1617 Pocahontas unfortunately died of

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