Study Questions for Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma

History 1013, for quiz on "Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma" study guide questions

Who was Powhatan? (4)

Pocahontas's father, Powhatan, he was a ruler over multiple tribes and wanted peace with the english

What were the Powhatan people’s previous contacts with Europeans like? (5-6)

They knew from memory of past encounters with Europeans that more of them were coming and that the best thing to do was to convince these newcomers to move on.

Who was Luis and what did he tell members of his tribe? (5)

Was a native american captured by the Spanish and came back years later to tell of the world, telling them the Jesuits were coming but with violent intent

How did Powhatan cement his authority? (12)

His authority followed numerous wars, alliances, and the influence of epidemics and migrations that created power vacuums, which Powhatan skillfully exploited to consolidate his authority.

By what names was Pocahontas known? (13-14; 126-128)

Amounte, This was her birth name, given to her by her people, the Powhatan

Matoaka, A more private, and sometimes secret, name that means "bright stream between the hills".

Pocahontas, This was a childhood nickname meaning "playful one," "little wanton," or "little mischief." It was not a formal name and was given to her by her father, Chief Powhatan. 

Rebecca, After being taken captive by the English and converting to Christianity, she was baptized with the name Rebecca.

How did Powhatan exert authority over other tribes? (14)

Through tribute, intimidation, and alliances

How did Powhatan use his children? (16)

To form political alliances

Who was Pocahontas’ mother? (16)

Powhatan’s wives (her exact identity: Nonoma Winanuske Mataiske), died during childbirth

What work did Powhatan women do? (16-18)

Farming, cooking building houses, making clothes

What were Powhatan spiritual beliefs like? (21)

Believed in many spirits connected to nature, with priests for rituals

How long had the Powhatan people been farming and why is this important? (22)

Over 1,000 years, showed they were skilled, not “primitive”

After the English arrive, what does Townsend say Powhatan wanted? (24)

Trade, allies, and to control the relationship on his terms

What do Smith and other explorers read? (26)

Travel/Adventure Stories from the Spanish Previous Voyages

How do artists depict America? (27)

As exotic, rich, full or resources

How did Martyr depict Native American women? (27)

As beautiful, innocent, sexualized

How did Smith and other explorers see themselves? (29)

Brave heroes, adventurers

What reasons did Englishmen offer for colonization? (32)

Wealth, power, religion, land

What did people opposed to colonization argue? (35)

Costly, risky, morally wrong

How did the English use the Spanish example? (35)

As examples of empire building

How did the English plan to colonize Native Americans in the New World? (35-36)

Convert and “civilize” Natives

How did the English view Native American land practices? (36)

Natives “wasted” land, didn’t own it

What justification did the English offer for colonization? (37)

Spread Christianity, improve land

What was the problematic about the “Indians as Ancient Britons” analogy"? (40)

Ignored real Native culture/history

What was John Smith’s life like before he came to Virginia? (46)

Soldier, adventurer, troublemaker,

What were early relations with Native Americans like? (49)

Trade but tense, often violent

Why is it fortunate that Smith went up the Chickahominy River? Why did the Natives he met there give him food? (51)

Fortunate because Natives fed him; wanted allies

How did Powhatan present himself to Smith? (52)

Showed power, acted like ruler

Is the story in which Pocahontas “saves” John Smith true? When and why did Smith tell this story? What did Smith’s story say about Pocahontas? (52)

 Likely false; Smith told it later for fame.

How was the Pocahontas story similar to other stories that Smith told? (53)

Similar “rescued hero” tales.

How did original readers approach Smith’s book? How was their attitude different
from later readers? (54)

Saw it as adventure; later readers romanticized

Why would Powhatan not have “brained” Smith? (55)

 Not his style; ritual not execution.

How did the Powhatans treat captured enemy warriors? (55)

Rituals, adoption, sometimes killed

In the ceremony where Smith claimed that his life was at stake, what was Powhatan
actually doing? (56)

Ritual adoption, not execution

What “deal” does Powhatan make with the English? (57)

Trade food for weapons.

Why did Smith not mention his ritual adoption by Powhatan when it happened? Why
does he wait to tell this part of the story? (58)

 Didn’t understand it at first; used it later.

What did Powhatan know about the English (60-61)

English wanted land/resources.

What is Powhatan’s strategy with the English? How does he plan to use them? (61)

 Use English for trade, power balance.

How does Townsend’s view of Powhatan as a political actor differ from previous
scholars? (62)

Powhatan as smart political leader

What did the English want to think about the Native American’s view of them? Why?
(63)

As gods/powerful; boosted ego.

Why is technological advancement sometimes conflated with intellectual
superiority? (65)

 Europeans assumed tools = smarter.

Throughout the book, what are Native Americans seeking? (65)

Survival, power, respect

Why do Powhatan and the English exchange young boys? (68)

 For language, culture learning, hostages.

Why/when does Powhatan send Pocahontas to Jamestown? (69-70)

As messenger/peacemaker.

In the records, where do we encounter Pocahontas? Is this problematic? (71)

In English records only; biased.

What happened to the Powhatan language? (73)

Eventually lost; not written down

What were the first recorded Native American questions? What do they reveal
about Powhatan concerns or desires? (74)

About English weapons, religion → showed curiosity and concern.

How did Smith view Pocahontas when she came to the fort as a 10-11 year old? (76)

As playful child, not romance.

What did Powhatan think about the crown given to him? (77)

 Thought it was silly, meaningless.

How did the English get food? (78)

Traded, begged, sometimes stole.

What does Powhatan want from the colonists in exchange for food? (79)

Tools, trade goods in exchange.

When English demands for corn and violence against Native Americans increased,
what did Powhatan threaten to do? (79)

To stop trade, use violence.

How were the Powhatan people different from the Aztecs and how did this impact
their response to the English? (82)

Smaller confederacy, more flexible → harder to conquer quickly.

Who was Kocoom and what happened to him? (85-88)

Pocahontas’ first husband; killed by English.

Why did Pocahontas have a choice in who she married? (86)

Powhatan women could choose husbands

Did Pocahontas have children with her first husband? (87)

 No evidence.

What did Rev. Symonds say about romantic relationships between Native
Americans and the English? (90-91)

 Opposed mixing; wanted conversion, not love

What role did kidnapping play in Virginians’ plans to convert Native Americans? (92)

Way to force conversion/negotiation.

What happened to John Rolfe and his first wife? (95)

 Died coming to Virginia.

What did the English do to the Paspaheghs? (98)

 Destroyed their village brutally

Why do the Patowomeck agree to betray Pocahontas to the English? (103)

Wanted favor/trade with English.

How was Pocahontas kidnapped? Who was involved? (104)

Lured onto English ship, taken by Argall.

By the time Pocahontas arrived in Jamestown as a prisoner, how had the settlement incorporated Powhatan culture? (106)

Some words, food, clothing adopted.

Why did the English move Pocahontas to Henrico? (108-109)

Easier to control and “civilize” her.

How did the English try to change Pocahontas culturally? (110)

Dress, religion, lifestyle

Who was Rev. Whitaker and what are his goals? (111-113)

Minister; wanted Pocahontas to convert and be example.

How does John Rolfe convince himself that he should marry Pocahontas? (116)

 Marriage = good for colony and her soul

What was not one of Pocahontas’s motivations in marrying John Rolfe? (117-118)

She didn’t marry just for love

Was Pocahontas forced to marry Rolfe? (118)

No, not directly forced

Why did Pocahontas marry John Rolfe? (119)

 For survival, political alliance

What political role did Pocahontas and Rolfe’s marriage play? (123)

 Marriage created peace between English and Powhatans.

How can Pocahontas’s conversion be explained? (125)

Survival strategy, pressure, new role.

What name do the English give Pocahontas? (126)

Rebecca.

What significance did Pocahontas’s new name have for the English? (126)

Symbol of “civilizing” a Native.

How might Pocahontas have understood her new name? (127)

Possibly as part of new identity.

What significance did John Role have on the Virginia economy? (130)

 Tobacco = economic success

What does Hamor ask Powhatan? How does Powhatan reply? (132)

To give more power to English; Powhatan refuses.

Why did Pocahontas and other Native Americans go to London? (137)

 To show the success of the colony/Christian mission.

What was the London Pocahontas saw like? (139)

 crowded, noisy, smoky, strange.

Why did the Virginia Company want Pocahontas in London? (140)

Propaganda, gain investors.

Why did Pocahontas move to Middlesex? (143)

Cleaner air, better health.

How did the English view Pocahontas? (143-144)

As “civilized Indian princess.”

What is a masque? (146)

 Fancy performance/play with costumes.

Who was Uttamatomakin? (149)

Powhatan holy man who traveled with her.

How did Van de Passe depict Pocahontas? (151-153)

 Showed her dressed English-style.

What does Pocahontas’s hat say about her? (152)

Showed status and English identity.

What makes Pocahontas’s portrait the unique painting of a Native American woman? (153)

 Only one of a Native woman in England.

.What evidence is there to suggest that Pocahontas had input into her painting (the way she was depicted)? 154

Small details (like posture, hat) suggest choice

Why is Pocahontas mad at John Smith? (155-156)

 He lied, took credit, betrayed Powhatan.

What did the Virginia Company hope that Rolfe would do with the £100 they gave him? (156)

Wanted Rolfe to grow tobacco

How did Native Americans see Thomas Rolfe? (161)

As both Powhatan and English; outsider.

What happened to the two women who went to London with Pocahontas? (167)

Died in England.

Why did the Native Americans attack in 1622? (170)

Natives tried to push English out

How did Virginia settlers respond to the 1622 Native American attack? (173)

Brutal revenge, massacres.

What side does Thomas Rolfe choose? (174)

Chose English

Could anything have changed the way things ultimately turned out? (178)

Probably not; English wanted land and power.