Jamestown Massacre and Conflicts (Lecture Notes)

Introduction

• The Jamestown Massacre was a conflict between English colonists and the Powatan Confederacy in 1622, Virginia.
• Powatan Confederacy: A political, social, and martial entity of over 30 Algonquin-speaking tribes in modern-day Virginia, Maryland, and part of North Carolina.

Powatan Confederacy

• Leader: Chief Powatan (Wansik).
  • Initially controlled six tribes.
  • Expanded control through military conquest, diplomacy, and bribery.
• Economy:
  • Based on agriculture, trade, and war spoils.
  • Known for conflicts with the Iroquoian-speaking tribes.

Early English Colonies

• Roanoke Colony: Established in 1585 and 1587 but disappeared by 1590.
• Jamestown Colony: Established in 1607 by the English.
  • Initially received help from the Powatan Confederacy.
  • English reliance on gifts and trade from natives became problematic.

Rising Tensions

• English expansion into native lands.
• Chief Powatan restricted English to their settlement.
• "Starving Time" in Jamestown due to lack of resources.

First Powatan War (1610-1614)

• English adopted a "no compromise" policy.
• Guerilla warfare by natives; English raids on native villages.
• John Rolfe introduced tobacco cultivation, gaining wealth.
• Pocahontas's Kidnapping:
  • Held for ransom; converted to Christianity and married John Rolfe.
  • Her marriage marked the end of the first war.

Transition of Leadership

• Chief Powatan died in 1618.
• New Chief: Opechancanough (Powatan's stepbrother).
  • Skeptical of English intentions, planned to attack.

Jamestown Massacre 1622

• Attack Date: March 22, 1622.
• Native Americans launched a surprise attack on English settlements.
  • Killed approximately 347 colonists.
  • Destroyed the Henricus colony completely.

Aftermath and Subsequent Conflicts

• Natives did not follow up on their attack, expecting the English to leave.
• English remained, leading to the Second Powatan War.
• Second War: Continued until 1629, some hostilities into the 1630s.
• Third Powatan War: Started in 1644, lasting until 1646.

Conclusion

• The lecture covers conflicts leading up to and following the Jamestown Massacre.
• Further details on post-massacre conflicts will be discussed in future sessions.

Note: This summary focuses on key events and figures involved in the Jamestown Massacre and subsequent conflicts.