Lecture Notes: African, Indigenous, and European Women in the Early Modern Atlantic World (Part 1)

Focus: Pocahontas and Her World

Introduction

• Topic Overview: Examining African, Indigenous, and European women during the early modern period in the Atlantic world.
• Scope: Large geographical and temporal span.
• Structure: Divided into several parts, beginning with the story of Pocahontas.

Pocahontas: Key Facts

• Names: Known as Matawaka among the Powhatan, Pocahontas in modern times, and Rebecca Rolfe after marriage to an Englishman.
• Background: Daughter of the Powhatan leader (Werowance), often misrepresented as a "princess" by Europeans.
  • Matrilineal Society: Powhatan society was matrilineal, though led by men.

Interaction with Europeans

• Early Encounters: Around 10 years old when English settlers arrived.
• Kidnapping: Captured by the English in 1612 while living with the Potomac people during the Anglo-Powhatan war.
• Cultural Exchange: Exposed to Christianity and European culture; began using the name Rebecca.

Relationship with John Smith

• Myth vs. Reality:
  • Disney's portrayal romanticizes the relationship.
  • John Smith's writings about being saved by Pocahontas are considered exaggerated and lack contemporaneous evidence.
  • Possible interpretation as a ritual adoption, but not widely accepted.
  • Importance of considering biases in historical sources.

Marriage to John Rolfe

• Alliance: Seen as a strategic alliance, attended by Powhatan leaders.
• Rumors: Unverified claims of prior sexual assault and childbirth.
• Travel to England: Promoted Virginia colony; Pocahontas became a symbol of colonial success.

Death and Legacy

• Illness and Death: Died in 1617 on her return to Virginia; burial location in England is unknown.
• Impact: Provides insights into gender roles, power dynamics, and intercultural relationships.

Historical Interpretation

• Primary Sources: Limited and biased, primarily from English perspectives.
• Women's Voices: Lack of direct records from Pocahontas herself.
• Cultural Misunderstandings: Challenges in understanding between Powhatan and English societies.

Gender and Power

• Societal Structures: Contrast between matrilineal Powhatan and patrilineal English systems.
• Gender Frontier: Intersection of different cultural knowledge systems and gender roles.
• Diplomatic Roles: Women's involvement in diplomacy and peace negotiations.

Conclusion

• Misconceptions: Many inaccuracies in the popular narrative of Pocahontas.
• Significance: Highlights her role as a cultural go-between and the complexities of early colonial interactions.