Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, places, and concepts from Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma.

Powhatan

Paramount chief of the Powhatan Confederacy in Virginia; a central political leader who extended authority over tribes and managed relations with English.

Pocahontas

Daughter of Powhatan; central figure in English–Native American contact; known by multiple names; later married John Rolfe.

Jamestown

First permanent English settlement in Virginia established by the Virginia Company around 1607.

Powhatan Confederacy

Network of allied tribes under Powhatan in the Virginia region.

Pocahontas' mother

A Powhatan woman, the mother of Pocahontas.

Powhatan women's work

Roles of Powhatan women, including farming and domestic tasks.

Powhatan spiritual beliefs

Traditional religious beliefs and practices of the Powhatan.

Powhatan farming history

Powhatan people had a long history of farming, indicating established agricultural practices.

Powhatan authority

Powhatan cemented his authority through leadership, kinship, and strategic alliances.

Names of Pocahontas

Pocahontas was known by several names in different sources.

John Smith

English explorer and author whose account of Virginia framed early contact with Native peoples.

Chickahominy River

Virginia river where Smith’s journey occurred and where Natives provided nourishment.

Pocahontas and John Smith saving story

The tale that Pocahontas saved John Smith; its accuracy is debated.

Indians as Ancient Britons analogy

A controversial analogy comparing Native Americans to ancient Britons; criticized by scholars.

Pocahontas and Rolfe marriage

Marriage between Pocahontas and English settler John Rolfe; had political and economic implications.

John Rolfe

English settler who married Pocahontas; played a notable role in Virginia’s economy.

Virginia Company

English company that funded colonization of Virginia.

Masque

A form of elaborate stage entertainment; Pocahontas appeared in a masque in London.

Uttamatomakin

A Native American name/figure referenced in the Pocahontas narrative in London materials.

Van de Passe

Dutch artist who produced portraits of Pocahontas.

Pocahontas portrait

Portrait of Pocahontas by Van de Passe; noted for its depiction of a Native American woman.

Middlesex

English county near London where Pocahontas lived during her London stay.

1622 attack

Massive Native American uprising against Virginia settlers in 1622.

Paspaheghs

A Powhatan-affiliated tribe involved in early English contact and conflicts.

Patowomeck

A tribe that agreed to betray Pocahontas to the English.