Pocahontas notes

Powhatan

Chief of the Powhatan tribe near Werowocomoco and father of Pocahontas.

Luis

Son of a chief who was kidnapped by English traders and warned his tribe about the dangers of the English.

Pocahontas' birth name

Amonute; known by several names including Motoaka.

Powhatan's authority

Cemented through wars, peaceful alliances, and intermarriage with neighboring tribes.

Role of Powhatan women

Worked with their half-siblings and other women to grow crops for the village.

Powhatan spiritual beliefs

Believed that every person and cosmos had a mix of good and bad motivations, and that there was a big spirit making heaven and earth.

Pocahontas' mother

One of Powhatan's wives, with her identity remaining unknown.

Early relations with Native Americans

The Natives were initially very welcoming, showing the English around and trading.

Justification for English colonization

To end the practice of human sacrifice, although it was not practiced by the Natives they encountered.

The role of Pocahontas in her tribe

Used as a diplomatic tool to secure alliances through marriage.

The Chickahominy River

Where John Smith met Natives who were not part of Powhatan's regime and provided him food.

Smith's portrayal of Pocahontas

Dramatically exaggerated her role in saving him, possibly to enhance his notoriety.

English perception of Native American land practices

Frowned upon for failing to make the land yield more.

Rev. Symonds' view on intercultural relationships

Thought relationships with Native Americans would ruin the success of their voyage.

Pocahontas's move to Henrico

To distance her from Native influence and facilitate her conversion to English culture.

Pocahontas's new Christian name

Rebecca, chosen for its biblical significance and expectation of devotion to future generations.

Pocahontas's marriage to John Rolfe

Strategic move to forge peace and political alliance between her tribe and the colonists.

Significance of Pocahontas's portrait

One of the earliest and most circulated depictions of a Native American woman in European art.

Thomas Rolfe's role in Native American perception

Seen as a potential mediator due to his mixed heritage.

The 1622 Native American attack

A desperate attempt to fight against the increasing presence of English settlers.