Many people know Pocahontas from the Disney movie, but her real story is quite different. First, Pocahontas wasn’t her original name. In her culture, names could change as a person grew up. She was born as “Amonute” and later called “Matoaka,” which means “The flower between two streams.” She belonged to the Powhatan tribe in Eastern Virginia, a large group of over 25,000 people divided into smaller tribes. Her father, Wahunsenacawh, was the chief, known as “Chief Powhatan.”
In Pocahontas’s tribe, it was a tradition for one woman from each tribe to become one of Chief Powhatan’s wives. This was considered an honor, as only the most beautiful and intelligent women were chosen. These women would have children with the chief, and their children often became future leaders. Pocahontas’s mother was special to Chief Powhatan, and he nicknamed her “Pocahontas,” meaning “the playful one.” When Amonute showed a similar playful personality, she was also called Pocahontas. Sadly, her mother likely died during childbirth, but Pocahontas grew up happy, playing and laughing with her siblings. At age 14, during a special ceremony, she officially took the name Pocahontas.
In the early 1600s, British explorers arrived in what they called the New World and started the Jamestown Colony in 1607. One explorer, John Smith, wrote a book about his adventures, but many historians believe he made up stories. He claimed that Pocahontas saved his life when he was captured and about to be executed. However, this story is unlikely because Pocahontas would have been only 9 or 10 years old, and children weren’t present at such events. In reality, the Jamestown colonists were struggling and attacked Native American villages to steal food. Chief Powhatan spared John Smith’s life without Pocahontas’s involvement.
When Pocahontas was about 14 or 15, she married Kocoum, a leader’s brother, and moved closer to Jamestown. The colonists, who often misunderstood Native American customs, were shocked by their way of life. Unfortunately, this led to violence against women and children. In Powhatan culture, such acts were severely punished, unlike in England, where men often escaped punishment. The colonists’ actions led to the first Anglo-Powhatan War.
During this time, Pocahontas was pregnant. The colonists kidnapped her to use as leverage against Chief Powhatan. After giving birth, she was taken by Captain Samuel Argall. Weak from childbirth, she couldn’t defend herself. Her husband, Kocoum, tried to rescue her but was killed. Pocahontas was held captive, and although she was mistreated, the colonists needed her alive for negotiations. Her sister was allowed to visit, and Pocahontas shared her suffering, but she wasn’t allowed to return home.
The war lasted from 1610 to 1614, and Pocahontas was held captive for over a year. During this time, she became pregnant again. To cover up their actions, the colonists arranged for her to marry John Rolfe, a widower who introduced tobacco farming to Jamestown. English law didn’t allow marriage between English people and Native Americans, so Pocahontas was baptized as a Christian, taking the name Rebecca. Her marriage to Rolfe was presented as a love story, and a peace treaty was negotiated, known as the “Peace of Pocahontas.” However, she was never allowed to see her family again.
After marrying John Rolfe, Pocahontas moved to England. She had to adapt to English customs, which included changing her appearance. Despite the challenges, she became a symbol of peace between the colonists and Native Americans. She met Queen Anne and King James, who began to see Native Americans as deserving of respect.
During her time in England, Pocahontas confronted John Smith about the false stories he had spread about her people. She expressed her anger over his portrayal of Native Americans.
John Rolfe managed his tobacco farm in Virginia while living in England. Pocahontas wanted to return home, and in 1617, when their son was two years old, Rolfe agreed to take them back. Tragically, Pocahontas fell ill during the journey and died on the ship. Her burial was unmarked, and her son was left in the care of a stranger while Rolfe returned to Virginia.
Thomas Rolfe, their son, eventually inherited his father’s farm but faced difficulties due to ongoing conflicts between Native Americans and colonists. He tried to connect with his family but was unable to do so.
Pocahontas’s story is both tragic and inspiring. Despite the hardships she faced, she remains a symbol of Native American culture and humanity. Her legacy encourages love and understanding of Native American traditions. Pocahontas is remembered for her kindness and diplomacy, truly embodying the spirit of “the playful one.”
Feel free to reflect on what Native American name you might choose for yourself. Thank you for reading.
Using the information from the article, create a timeline of Pocahontas’s life. Include key events such as her birth, marriage, capture, and journey to England. This will help you understand the sequence of events and their impact on her life.
In groups, choose a scene from Pocahontas’s life and create a short skit. You can act out her interactions with John Smith, her capture, or her time in England. This will help you empathize with her experiences and understand the cultural differences she faced.
Choose a topic related to Pocahontas’s story, such as the Powhatan tribe, the Jamestown Colony, or the role of women in Native American societies. Present your findings to the class to deepen your understanding of the historical context.
Create an art piece that represents Pocahontas’s legacy. You can use symbols from her culture, such as flowers or streams, to depict her story. Share your artwork with the class and explain its significance.
Hold a debate on the portrayal of Pocahontas in popular media versus historical accounts. Discuss the impact of these portrayals on our understanding of her life and Native American history. This will help you critically analyze sources and their reliability.
In the famous Disney film, Pocahontas sang about the “Colors of the Wind,” teaching us that everyone can get along despite cultural differences. While the intent behind the movie may have been good, it is not historically accurate. The true story is much darker, and for some, this video may alter childhood memories. This is the true story of Pocahontas.
**A Peaceful Existence**
The first thing to know about Pocahontas is that it wasn’t her birth name. Native Americans have a unique tradition regarding names and identity. Children are given a name at birth, which often changes as they grow and their personality develops. At birth, her name was “Amonute.” As she grew older and became a true beauty, her father gave her the new name Matoaka, meaning “The flower between two streams.” She was part of the Powhatan tribe of Eastern Virginia, which had a population of over 25,000 people, divided into roughly 30 smaller tribes governed by respected village leaders. Pocahontas’ father, Wahunsenacawh, was the head chief, known as the honorable “Chief Powhatan.”
The Powhatan people had a tradition where one woman from each tribe was sent to become one of the wives of Chief Powhatan. Women came of age at 14 years old and often found a husband soon after. Once a young woman gave birth and weaned her child, she could leave the child to be raised by the Chief and return to her home village to marry and start her own family. While this may sound frightening by modern standards, it was considered a huge honor. Only the most beautiful and intelligent girls were chosen to have children with the Chief, ensuring the best traits were passed on. These children were given special training and often grew up to be the next generation of leaders.
There was one wife who held a special place in Chief Wahunsenacawh’s heart. He gave her the nickname “Pocahontas,” meaning “the playful one.” He noticed that his daughter, Amonute, had a personality similar to her mother’s and began calling her “Pocahontas” as well. There is no historical record of what happened to her mother, but most historians believe she died during childbirth. As a young girl, Matoaka would run through the forest, climb trees, and play, always laughing and ready to engage with her many half-siblings. Her mother’s name suited her well, and at age 14, during her coming-of-age ceremony, she officially changed her name to Pocahontas.
**Colonization and The Lies of John Smith**
In the early 1600s, British explorers sailed toward the New World, founding the Jamestown Colony in 1607. One explorer, John Smith, was dubbed the “President of Virginia” and the “Admiral of New England.” He later published a book about his adventures, which many modern historians recognize as fictional. In his book, Smith claims he was captured by a man named Opechancanough and brought before Chief Wahunsenacawh, who ordered his execution. Just as his head was about to be smashed on a rock, a girl named Pocahontas allegedly begged for his life, claiming that if he must die, she should die too. This narrative resembles the Disney movie, but most historians find it implausible for several reasons. Pocahontas would have been only 9 or 10 years old at the time, while John Smith was 27. Children were not present at trials or executions, and the story misrepresents Native Americans as savage.
In reality, in 1608, the Jamestown colonists were starving due to a lack of supplies. Instead of negotiating fairly, John Smith ordered his men to attack tribal villages and steal resources. The weakened colonists were no match for the tribe, resulting in many white men being killed or taken prisoner. Chief Powhatan chose to spare John Smith’s life without Pocahontas’s involvement.
**An Act of War**
At around 14 or 15 years old, Pocahontas married Kocoum, the brother of a village leader. She moved to a new village closer to Jamestown, and news of her arrival spread, reaching the colonists. In the summer, Native Americans would often go without clothing to stay cool, which shocked the English settlers. Many of these men, who viewed the natives as less-than-human, took advantage of the situation, leading to violence against women and children.
In Powhatan culture, sexual assault was punishable by death, making such crimes rare. In contrast, in England, men often escaped punishment for similar crimes. When the Powhatan people interpreted the colonists’ actions as an act of war, Chief Powhatan prepared to retaliate, leading to the first Anglo-Powhatan War.
Meanwhile, Pocahontas was now 16 and pregnant. The colonists devised a plan to kidnap her as leverage against Chief Powhatan. Shortly after giving birth, Pocahontas was abducted by Captain Samuel Argall. Physically weak from childbirth, she could not defend herself. John Smith described her distress, but he never detailed her treatment during captivity. According to Native American oral history, Kocoum learned of her kidnapping and attempted to rescue her but was killed.
John Smith claimed the colonists kept Pocahontas as leverage while waiting for payment from Chief Powhatan. He justified the kidnapping and blackmail, and the English accepted this narrative. Pocahontas eventually fell into a state of depression, missing her family. The colonists needed her alive for leverage, so her sister was allowed to visit. During their meeting, Pocahontas revealed she was being mistreated and begged to return home, but the English refused to let her go.
**Don’t Worry, It Gets Worse**
The First Anglo-Powhatan War lasted from 1610 to 1614, but the timeline is unclear. John Smith claimed Pocahontas was held for three months, but she likely remained captive for over a year. During this time, she became pregnant, revealing the truth of her situation. The men needed to cover up their crimes, leading to John Rolfe entering the picture. He introduced tobacco farming to the Jamestown colony, creating a profitable business.
Rolfe, a widower in his 40s, offered to marry Pocahontas. However, English law prohibited marriage between English people and Native Americans. In 1614, Pocahontas underwent a Christian baptism, the only way to be considered human in the eyes of the English. She was baptized as Rebecca and soon married John Rolfe. Their marriage was presented as a love story, and once Chief Powhatan learned his daughter was safe, a peace treaty was negotiated, known as the “Peace of Pocahontas.” However, Pocahontas was never allowed to see her family again.
**Life in England**
After marrying John Rolfe, Pocahontas began a new life in England. The Powhatan people had a tradition of tattooing, and it’s believed Pocahontas may have had tattoos as well. However, in England, she was expected to conform to societal norms, covering her body and changing her appearance. While many viewed her story as a romantic tale, John Rolfe’s comments about her appearance raised concerns about his true feelings.
Despite the troubling aspects of their relationship, Pocahontas became a symbol of peace between the colonists and Native Americans. She represented her tribe with grace, meeting Queen Anne and King James, who began to see Native Americans as human beings deserving of respect.
After a few months in England, John Smith visited Pocahontas. She confronted him about the fictional stories he had written, expressing her anger over his portrayal of her people.
**Death and Legacy**
John Rolfe managed his tobacco farm in Virginia while living in England. Pocahontas begged to return home, and in 1617, when their son was two years old, Rolfe agreed to take them back. Tragically, Pocahontas fell ill during the journey and died on the ship. Her burial was unmarked, and her son was left in the care of a stranger while Rolfe returned to Virginia.
Thomas Rolfe eventually inherited his father’s tobacco farm but faced challenges due to the ongoing conflicts between Native Americans and colonists. He sought to connect with his family but was denied the opportunity.
This story is tragic and infuriating, highlighting the resilience of Pocahontas. Despite the dark aspects of her life, she became an enduring symbol of Native American culture and humanity. While the historical inaccuracies persist, her legacy inspires love and understanding of Native American culture. Pocahontas is remembered for her kindness and diplomacy, embodying the spirit of “the playful one.”
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or reflect on what Native American name you might choose for yourself. Thank you for watching.
Pocahontas – A Native American woman notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. – Pocahontas is remembered for her role in fostering peace between the Powhatan tribe and the English colonists.
Powhatan – The leader of a network of tribal nations in Virginia during the early 1600s. – The Powhatan Confederacy was a powerful group that played a significant role in the early years of the Jamestown settlement.
Colonists – People who settle in a new country or region, often establishing control over the indigenous people. – The colonists at Jamestown faced many challenges, including harsh winters and conflicts with Native Americans.
Jamestown – The first permanent English settlement in North America, established in Virginia in 1607. – Jamestown was founded by the Virginia Company and became the starting point for the expansion of English colonies in America.
Native – Referring to the original inhabitants of a region or country. – The native tribes of Virginia, including the Powhatan, had complex societies long before the arrival of European settlers.
War – A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. – The Anglo-Powhatan Wars were a series of conflicts between English settlers and the Powhatan Confederacy in the early 1600s.
Marriage – The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship. – The marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe in 1614 helped establish a period of peace between the English settlers and the Powhatan tribe.
Tobacco – A plant whose leaves are dried and processed for smoking or chewing, and was a major cash crop in the American colonies. – Tobacco cultivation became a vital part of the economy in Jamestown, leading to increased demand for labor and land.
England – A country in Europe that established colonies in North America during the Age of Exploration. – England’s desire for new resources and trade routes led to the establishment of colonies like Jamestown in the New World.
Legacy – Something handed down from an ancestor or from the past. – The legacy of the Jamestown settlement includes the introduction of representative government and the expansion of English culture in America.
