Write an essay on the Pocahontas story discussed here. 300 words or more.
Controversy – a discussion on a history that has two sides. However, only one side made it into the history textbooks. Should the other side be told?
Pocahontas’s story – if you questioned a Mattaponi tribal member about the story it would sound more like a murder mystery than a rescue love story.
For your follow up essay, please examine an history written by the Mattaponi Indian tribe concerning the life and death of Pocahontas.
Please read the The Pocahontas Archives.
Remember, daughters of chiefs were sought by the English to guarantee land and protection. Some historians claim that Pocahontas was a needed insurance policy for plantation farmers like Rolfe. Her death was a necessary evil to protect the assets of the English Tobacco industry.
The Mattaponi tribe claims in their new book that Pocahontas was captured, raped and impregnated before her marriage to John Rolfe. To cover up this English abuse, John Rolfe agreed to marry Pocahontas in order to prevent war over her treatment and to protect his tobacco crop. The tribe also claimed that Pocahontas was already married to a Mattaponi man named Kocoum and had a son, but the Colonial government viewed the marriage null and void since it did not occur in a Christian Church. She was forced to travel to England in order to help Rolfe save his people and keep hers from annihilation.
Follow up-
Summarize what you learned from the Mattaponi tribe and include in your analysis the debate between historians of European descent and those that are Native American about how to write the history of Indian peoples. Make sure you discuss whether you agree or disagree, explaining why or why not, with the Mattaponi version of the Pocahontas story?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The story of Pocahontas is a well-known love story in American history. However, historians of Native American descent claim that the story is inaccurate and that the true events have been distorted in favor of the English colonizers. The Mattaponi tribe’s new book provides a different perspective to the events, raising questions about the accuracy of the widely accepted version of Pocahontas’ life.
Summary:
According to the Mattaponi tribe’s book, Pocahontas was not saved by John Smith but rather captured, raped, and impregnated by the English before her marriage to John Rolfe. Rolfe married her to prevent war over her treatment, to protect his tobacco crop, and to cover up English abuse. The tribe further claims that Pocahontas was already married to a Mattaponi man named Kocoum and had a son. However, the marriage was not recognized by the Colonial government as it did not occur in a Christian church. Pocahontas was forced to travel to England to help Rolfe save his people and keep her own from destruction.
Analysis:
The Mattaponi tribe’s story raises an important debate between historians of European descent and those of Native American descent. Europeans tend to view history from the perspective of the colonizers, often distorting or omitting events that are unfavorable to them. On the other hand, Native Americans view history from their perspective – a perspective that is often ignored in traditional history books.
While the Mattaponi tribe’s version of the Pocahontas story is disturbing and tragic, it is essential to acknowledge the truth of Native American history that has been disregarded for centuries. It is time to acknowledge the negative events that occurred during colonization and accept the historical injustices that were inflicted upon Native Americans.
Conclusion:
The Pocahontas story is not just a love story, but a tale of colonization, exploitation, and deprivation of human rights. The Mattaponi tribe’s version of the story raises vital questions about whose version of history is being passed on to future generations. It is time to include diverse perspectives in the study and teaching of history, and recognize the atrocities committed during colonization. As historians, it is our responsibility to tell the truth and provide an accurate representation of history.
