Questions and Answers
What prompted Henry Spelman to run away from the Powhatan Indians?
Which of the following individuals did NOT accompany Henry Spelman when he ran away?
What was the consequence of Thomas Savage's decision to return to Powhatan?
What ultimately happened to Samuel during the pursuit by Powhatan's men?
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Who provided assistance to Henry Spelman during his escape, according to John Smith's account?
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What was the main reason for the decline in food supply for the Powhatan tribes in the winter of 1608-1609?
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What did Chief Powhatan require from John Smith in exchange for corn?
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What action did Chief Powhatan take in response to the English demands for food?
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What happened during John Smith's visit to negotiate with Powhatan?
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How did Pocahontas assist John Smith during his time in Virginia?
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What change occurred in Pocahontas's visits to Jamestown after 1609?
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What led to John Smith's departure from Virginia in the fall of 1609?
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What news reached Pocahontas regarding John Smith after he left Virginia?
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Study Notes
Drought and Trade Dynamics
- By winter 1608-1609, Powhatan tribes faced severe drought, affecting corn harvests.
- English settlers sought to exchange beads and trinkets for food amidst dwindling supplies.
- Chief Powhatan officially halted trade with the English due to increased demands and depleted resources.
Key Events and Tensions
- English settlers resorted to threats and violence, burning towns to procure food.
- Chief Powhatan proposed a deal: swords, guns, hens, copper, beads, and a grindstone in exchange for corn.
- John Smith's visit for negotiations resulted in stranding their barge and deteriorating relations.
Pocahontas's Role
- Pocahontas warned John Smith of her father's intention to kill him, risking her safety.
- After the warning, Pocahontas disappeared into the woods, marking her last encounter with Smith in Virginia.
Shifts in Powhatan Leadership
- Chief Powhatan relocated his capital from Werowocomoco to Orapaks in 1609, moving further inland.
- This relocation reflected his exhaustion with continuous food demands from English settlers.
- Pocahontas was forbidden to visit Jamestown after the relocation.
Smith's Departure and Impact
- John Smith left Virginia in fall 1609 due to a severe gunpowder injury.
- News of Smith’s death reached Pocahontas and Powhatan, resulting in her ceasing visits to the English.
Intervention for English Boys
- John Smith documented Pocahontas’s intervention to save Henry Spelman, an English boy living with the Powhatan.
- Spelman, feeling unwelcome, fled with two companions; one returned, leading to an angry response from Powhatan.
- During the search for the boys, Samuel was killed, while Spelman escaped to the Patawomeck tribe.
- Smith later indicated that Pocahontas had assisted Spelman in reaching safety.
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Description
This quiz covers the interactions between the English settlers and Powhatan tribes during the winter of 1608-1609. It examines the impacts of drought on the tribes' harvests and the resulting tensions that led to conflicts over trade and resources. Test your knowledge about this pivotal moment in early American history.
