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The most important question when regarding the settling of Jamestown and its early years is whether Captain John Smith, world renowned hero of the Jamestown colony, is in fact a liar, as most of what we know about him comes from his own works of novelistic intent about his experiences in the new world. We can analyze other first-hand records and other historical writings and weigh these accounts against Smith’s writings to decide if his are in fact accurate. In his own writings, John Smith, described his early adventures, which took place in Europe before his journey to the new world, in a very dramatic fashion. In these writings, Smith wrote that he joined the Austrian forces in fighting the Turks, which were seen as a threat to all Europe at this time. While there, he claimed to have accomplished heroic deeds including defeating three Turks in combat for which he received the title of Captain (Fishwick Para 3). He also described other adventures including finding a friend in a Turkish noble, living as a hermit studying Machiavelli, traveling from one port to another in Europe, and numerous other engagements with villains in sword fights or not. One of which took place near an ‘old ruined tower’ (White 490). In the new world, Smith all but described himself as the savior of the Jamestown colony. While there, he claimed that he secured food from the Powhatan Indians and took command of the colony to save it (Fishwick Para 4). Of course, Smith’s most renowned adventure in Jamestown was his rescue by the Indian princess Pocahontas, which may itself be a misinterpretation of culture by Smith or may have never even occurred A boston historian named Charles Deane researched into this matter and concluded, “...that Smith was a notoriou... ... middle of paper ... ...t be read in such a light and contrast to other sources on early colonial history. Works Cited Cooper, Catherine W. "The Legacies Of Captain John Smith." American Geographical Society's Focus On Geography 50.1 (2007): 30-36. Academic Search Elite. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. Fishwick, Marshall. “Was John Smith A Liar?” American Heritage. American Heritage, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. Lehman, Forrest K. "Settled Place, Contested Past: Reconciling George Percy's "A Trewe Relacyon" With John Smith's "Generall Historie.." Early American Literature 42.2 (2007): 235. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. Smith, John. “John Smith's Description of the Powhatans, 1612.” Historical Scene Investigation. Historical Scene Investigation, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. White, Ed. "Captaine Smith, Colonial Novelist." American Literature 75.3 (2003): 487. Academic Search Elite. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
As a young child many of us are raised to be familiar with the Pocahontas and John Smith story. Whether it was in a Disney movie or at a school play that one first learned of Jamestown, students want to believe that this romantic relationship really did occur. As one ages, one becomes aware of the dichotomy between fact and fiction. This is brilliantly explained in David A. Price's, Love and Hate in Jamestown. Price describes a more robust account of events that really did take place in the poorly run, miserable, yet evolving settlement of Jamestown, Virginia; and engulfs and edifies the story marketed by Disney and others for young audiences. Price reveals countless facts from original documents about the history of Jamestown and other fledgling colonies, John Smith, and Smith's relationship with Pocahontas. He develops a more compelling read than does the typical high school text book and writes intriguingly which propels the reader, to continue on to the successive chapters in the early history of Virginia.
Richter, Daniel K. Facing East from Indian Country: A Naïve History of Early America. Cambridge Massachusetts and London, England: Harvard, 2001.
The following writing is a representation of the similarities and differences between Captain John Smith and Governor William Bradford, two founding fathers of pre-America (known then as simply the New World) at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Their sense of adventure and love of God prepared the stage for the independence shared by Americans to this day. Both paved the way for a great multitude to journey to the New World in order to experience the freedom and prosperity of land ownership and also for the ability to worship God without imposed restrictions. Smith’s explorations were in Jamestown, Virginia where as a guide and military officer he assisted the original settlement from meeting an inevitable demise. Bradford’s story unfolds further north, in Plymouth Rock—Plymouth Bay (modern-day Massachusetts), where he established a church community “that was ready to perish in the wilderness” (p.53).
Smith later then met with Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, who was involved with organizing a colony sponsored by the Virginia Company of London that’d be sent to America. Smith was part of a group whose purpose was to make profit in the form of mineral, wealth, and goods.
Our sole evidence that Pocahontas saved Smith's life comes from his story in The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624), but this may not be a reliable source. According to Smith, he was captured by Indians, taken to their chief, Powhatan, and was to be killed, but Pocahontas, Powhatan's daughter, saved his life (111). John Smith was captured by the Indians, but whether he was to be killed by them in the ceremony which he describes in The General History of Virginia is not certain. Smith describes a scene where all of the Indians gather around him, place his head on a stone, and Pocahontas lays her head on top of his to save him from being clubbed to death (111). Historians believe that this was not an attempt to "beat out his brains," as Smith describes (111), but rather an adoption ceremony. The Indians merely welcomed Smith into the tribe, for after the ceremony, Chief Powhatan named him his son, which Smith also describes in his General History, but attributes his acceptance to Pocahontas' love for Englishmen. This ceremony was actually a traditional ritual of the tribe, and Pocahontas played a designated role in that ritual (Chief Crazy Horse). She accepted Smith as her brother in the ritual, while Smith believed she saved his life from ruthless savages. Smith may have misinterpreted an Indian ritual, or he may have romanticized the story to gain fame, which many believe was typical of him.
John Smiths personal account of the New World describes the land in a plausible way that leaves the reader with the impression that exploration is something to be considered. While his personal account is rather offset by his personal agenda, his description is still a reliable source that can be referred to when referencing the colonial period. So, while his publications may not be the most accurate a lot of information can still be drawn from his situation by referencing the secondary sources that describe Smith on a more personal account.
James McCune Smith had an ingenious mind throughout his entire childhood, although his father was never a part of his journey. He was born on April 18, 1813 as a free African-American, in Manhattan, New York with his mother. He was the son of an enslaved father and a free mother; His mother’s name was Lavinia
One of the six members of the council decided that he could help Jamestown pace itself accordingly. John Smith, who was born into a family of farmers from Lincolnshire, England, had an impressive amount of experience that helped him gain notoriety in the social rank. When he turned sixteen, he served in England’s military, and later fought in a Christian army against the Turks in Hungary. However, he was not always liked. In 1606 during the voyage to the Americas, John Smith was accused of committing a crime and was almost hung. Reverend Robert Hunt vouched for John, convincing the crew members to allow him to rejoin the council. He rejoined the council, and later became the leader of the Jamestown Colony. John Smith had a unique way to make the colony produce more food and shelter. He established a rule that whoever did not work, did not get to eat. Since there wasn't a colonist that wanted to be deprived of their food, everyone cooperated. The rule made a large impact on the planting of crops and the building of shelter, preluding hope for a successful
Unfortunately, his parents died when he was thirteen and he was left with a sizable inheritance “which hee not being capable to manage, little regarded; his minde being even then set upon brave adventures.” (Kupperman 33). With John Smith writing this himself, it gives us an insight about his personality and how even at that young age he was little concerned with monetary values with the purpose of exploration. Throughout his childhood education seemed to play a big role in who he became as an intellectual and cartographer. Per the Oxford Dictionary of Nation Biography, he was thought to have been tutored at a young age by Thomas Marbury. Then young Smith attended King Edward VI Grammar School at Louth (oxforddnb.com). After his initial schooling, he apprenticed Thomas Sendall but a year later John parted ways with him based on “because hee would not presently send him to Sea” (Kupperman 35). After his adventures with Sendall he again apprenticed to France. Then travelled to Scotland then to the Mediterranean. Then striving to military service, he joined the
Prompt one (23 August 2017) What are the most important ideas in John Smith’s diary? Why do you think Bradford was preferred of the two men? John Smith and William Bradford were two powerful men in the New World during the 16th century. Both of men were from the Europe, and when they wrote, they wrote from experience they had in America. William Bradford and John Smith wrote totally different styles and different purposes. John Smiths motive was to bring people to the new world. When John Smith came back to the colony after going back for supply he knew for them to survive they would have to go look for food or some local people to maybe trade with. The first study Smith went on, was down the river, but he and his man run into a group
Smith was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont. Growing up on a variety of farms in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. He was deprived of a “formal” childhood education, however, was taught the basics of reading, writing, and math. In 1820, because of some “religious excitement” that occurred around his home, he began to debate which religion he should commit himself to. After reading James 1:5 in the bible, which said to let God decide, he went to a woods area around his house and asked God which religion
The difference in Smith and Bradford’s motives for exploration can be traced back to their personality traits. Smith, who was known to be egotist, was motivated by wealth and ego. This is best shown throughout his narrative, where he continually refers to himself as “Captain Smith” as an act of self-glorification (Smith 73-76). Smith also states that when he was captured by the natives, the “savages admired him” (Smith 74), which is a subjective statement used for the sole purpose of boosting his own ego. On the other hand, Bradford, a strong Puritan who believed the Church of England was corrupt, was
Andrews, Charles M. The Colonial Period of American History Volume II: The Settlements. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1936.
Even Though Smith provides a truthful perspective of his experiences and explorations, others wish to embellish his story to introduce emotion into early American history. Pocahontas’ age is raised to make the story rich with romance and compatibility between her and Smith. It brings together two different cultures. Frances Mossiker, the author of Pocahontas: The Life and the Legend views the romanticized version of John Smith and Pocahontas as “[t]he tableau vivant at the alter-stone—the death-defying embrace, white man and red woman aswoon with love and terror—seems fixed, frozen in time, indelibly imprinted on the mind’s eye, reminding us that at least once in our history there existed the possibility of interracial accommodation” (337).
Therefore, different high ranking officials and even other explorers would create propaganda, through their works, to tempt more explorers traveling to America. In Smith’s description of New England, he raises the following questions: “Who can desire more content, that hath small means; or but only his merit to advance