1. Colonial Unit

2. John Smith & The General History

3. John Smith: bio notes English soldier and adventurer
Sailed in late 1606 for America
Southern colonist
First man to successfully promote the permanent settlement of America
Founded Jamestown, VA – the first English colony
Gave New England its name
Captured by Indians in VA (leader = Powhatan)
Rescued by Powhatan’s daughter, Pocahontas, and made Powhatan’s “son”
Wrote The General History (1624)

4. Bio, cont… Smith’s writing encouraged people to settle in America
Appealed to the sense of personal and national glory
Appealed to the hope of economic advancement
Writing aimed to clear up myths about America (specifically w/ The General History)
learned that you need patience, a sense of glory, an experienced commander, and hard work to make America thrive

5. The General History: the basics
Set in VA
Written in third person to appear more objective (as if he is telling someone else’s story as opposed to his own)
Writing is very verbose (wordy) and descriptive
PAY ATTENTION AS YOU READ!!!
Look up unfamiliar words

6. “What Happened Till the First Supply”
Within 10 days of landing, the men are weak, sick, exhausted, and hungry (50 people died in the 1st 4 months)
While the ships are there the men have ample food and supplies
When the ship leaves the common kettle dwindles and the president keeps the “good stuff” for himself
President = Wingfield

7. The ill-advised journey…
Smith considered this journey to America ill-advised because it
was unfamiliar territory
was not necessary to their well-being
wasted time (very long journey)
was not well provided for

8. Wingfield was removed from power because he acted selfishly (hoarded food and tried to escape with one of the small ships)
He was replaced with Ratcliffe
At this point all of the food is gone, the ships have left shore, and the Indians are lurking

9. Smith attributes the Indians’ change of heart to God’s blessing.
The Indians fed the colonists instead of killing them.
“…when God, the patron of all good endeavors, in that desperate extremity so changed the hearts of the savages that they brought such plenty of their fruits, and provisions, as no man wanted.”

10. Captain Smith (John Smith, the author), sets out to explore the Chickahominy River and is taken prisoner by Indians
Powhatan, Indian chief, is characterized as brave, strong, intimidating, wise, respected, wealthy and generous
Irony = though Indians previously had a change of heart, they were not sufficiently impressed with Smith to spare his life (they tied him to a tree in preparation to kill him)

11. Once they bring him back to Powhatan, Pocahontas (Powhatan’s daughter) ultimately saves Smith’s life
Smith gives Powhatan two guns and a grindstone
Powhatan bestows Smith two things: the country of Capahowosick and the respect of making Smith his “son”

12. Upon Smith’s return Colony is in chaos
Ratcliffe is preparing to flee (like Wingfield did before him)
Colonists tried to put Smith to death for the deaths of Robinson and Emry