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How Did Pocahontas Affect Society

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ich was considered her secret name, and Amonute, which was more public. Her early life was just the start when it came to the impact she had on society. Pocahontas became a prominent figure in the colonization process of the new world due to her civil interactions with English settlers, specifically John Smith and John Rolfe. When most people think of Pocahontas, John Smith comes to mind as well. John Smith first met Pocahontas when she was estimated to be ten or eleven years old. He, at this time period, was about twenty eight years of age. That being said, there is no evidence of any sort of romantic interaction between the two. Although the romantic factor between them is often thought of due to their portrayal in movies and other …show more content…

Pocahontas first met John Rolfe while staying in a Virginian settlement known as, Henricus. At this time period, the idea of intermarriage of Native Americans and English colonists was still fairly new. That being said, John Rolfe had to pledge his proposal of marriage for Pocahontas to the governor of Virginia. In this long letter to the governor, he discussed his undeniable love for Pocahontas. He also claimed that by marrying her, he would be “saving her soul.” Despite the fact that Rolfe’s romantic feelings toward Pocahontas are quite noticeable, her feelings towards him are never actually mentioned. However, their wedding took place on April 5, 1614. After they became married, they lived on a plantation in Virginia for a couple of years where their son, Thomas, was born. The marriage of Pocahontas and John Rolfe was one of the most significant events that related to the interactions between the Native Americans and the colonists. It created feelings of peace and tranquility between the two vastly different groups of people. It also helped establish trade and commerce among them. Before the wedding occurred, the first Anglo-Powhatan War was in process, and the marriage helped put an end to the fighting. Furthermore, the marriage to Rolfe converted Pocahontas to the religion of Christianity. This act of conversion was immensely important to officials back in England because it accomplished one of their primary goals of

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