Introduction:
The Story of Pocahontas

History explores the stories of the people, places, and events of the past. Sometimes, one story can have multiple versions, each based on different evidence or beliefs. You may have heard that Pocahontas, a Native American princess, bravely risked her life to save the man she loved, John Smith of the Jamestown colony. But is that what really happened?

The purpose of this activity is to compare a popular and a historical version of what may have happened when Pocahontas and John Smith met.

Next: Who was Pocahontas?

Have you heard about the life of Pocahontas—for example, at school, in a book, or in a movie or TV show? Write down what you know about her. It may help to think about the people, places, and events in her life. Then write down any questions you have about Pocahontas.

Write your text in the box below, then click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: The Popular Story: Watch This!

The popular version of Pocahontas's story begins when John Smith, an English adventurer from the Jamestown colony, is captured in 1608. He is then brought before Powhatan, the powerful chief of the Algonquin people. After a feast, Powhatan's men grab Smith and lay him on a big stone to be beaten to death.

Suddenly, Powhatan's young daughter, Pocahontas, throws herself over Smith to protect him. As a result, Powhatan decides not to kill Smith, and instead adopts him as a son. Some versions of the story, including a Disney film, suggest that Pocahontas saved Smith because she had fallen in love with him. It's an exciting, romantic tale! But is it true?

Watch this video segment to see more about how Pocahontas's story has been presented in popular culture.

Next: Meet the Players

Next you will see a historical version of the Pocahontas story. But first review the major people and places that play an important part in this story.

People

1. Pocahontas—Native American princess, daughter of Chief Powhatan
2. Captain John Smith—Englishman and adventurer who helped found the Jamestown colony in Virginia
3. Chief Powhatan—powerful leader of 30 Native American tribes in what is now Virginia

Places

• Jamestown, Virginia—location of the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607
• Werowocomoco (WAIR-oh-wah-KO-mo-ko)—village that served as the political center, or capital, for Chief Powhatan and his people, in what is now Virginia

Next: A Historical Version: Watch This!

Now watch this video segment to see a historical version of the story of Pocahontas and John Smith. When you are finished, write down some of the differences you noticed between the historical and the popular versions.

Note: You will hear the following words used in the video segment. Click on each word to see its definition.

• reprieve
• rituals
• political theater

Write your text in the box below, then click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: What Do You Think About That?

You've now looked at a historical and a popular version of the Pocahontas story. Here is more information that historians have uncovered about Pocahontas.

• Historians estimate that Pocahontas was between 10 and 14 years old, while John Smith was 27.
• Pocahontas was later held captive by the Jamestown colony. While there, she met and married another Englishman, named John Rolfe.
• "Pocahontas" was a nickname, which some say meant "spoiled child." The princess's real name was Matoaka.
• John Smith wrote about his rescue by Pocahontas 17 years after it happened. His first written account did not mention her.

Next: Try This!

Think about all of the information you now have about Pocahontas. In this activity, you will identify which descriptions of the Pocahontas story support the popular version and which support the historical version. As you work through the activity, consider the notes that you wrote down on earlier screens.

Click "View" on the left to begin the activity. Be sure to print your notes before you exit the activity. Your notes will not be saved.

If you want, you can watch the video again.

Pocahontas Revealed

QuickTime Video
Length: 2m 30s

Next: Read and Write About It!

Now you will have the chance to read more about the Pocahontas story and then share your ideas with others.

• Print out your notes. (After you print, your notes will be erased. Make sure you are done before printing.)
  
  
• Print out and read Pocahontas and John Smith (Version A) (PDF) or Pocahontas and John Smith (Version B) (PDF). Check with your teacher if you are not sure which version to use.
• After reading, take a look at your chart and make any changes or add new information.
• Then, select and complete a writing assignment on page 2 of the printout.

Note: The following words will appear in the readings. Click on each word to see its definition.

Version A

• archaeologists

Version B

• archaeological excavations
• archaeologists
• symbolically
• tree-ring dating