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The only account of this event was written by Smith many years after it was supposed to have taken place and Smith has been proven to have invented many stories to make himself and his experiences seem more adventurous and exciting. He also claimed to have been saved from a similar execution at the hands of Turks by the teenage daughter of a Turkish king - does this sound familiar?

If the event really did happen (and we only have the word of Smith that it did), he may have completely misunderstood what was happening. Some experts believe that it was not an execution at all, but part of a religious adoption ceremony in which Smith was made the "son" of chief Powhatan, with Pocahontas pretending to save him from harm at the crucial moment. For Smith, who would have no comprehension of what was going on, it might have all seemed real.

Since nobody took pains to record in detail the religious ceremonies of the Powhatan people, we can never know the truth, but we do know that anything Smith wrote must be treated as suspect.

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Coby Schumm

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2y ago
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12y ago

The only account of this event was written by Smith many years after it was supposed to have taken place and Smith has been proven to have invented many stories to make himself and his experiences seem more adventurous and exciting. He also claimed to have been saved from a similar execution at the hands of Turks by the teenage daughter of a Turkish king - does this sound familiar?

If the event really did happen (and we only have the word of Smith that it did), he may have completely misunderstood what was happening. Some experts believe that it was not an execution at all, but part of a religious adoption ceremony in which Smith was made the "son" of chief Powhatan, with Pocahontas pretending to save him from harm at the crucial moment. For Smith, who would have no comprehension of what was going on, it might have all seemed real.

Since nobody took pains to record in detail the religious ceremonies of the Powhatan people, we can never know the truth, but we do know that anything Smith wrote must be treated as suspect.

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Anonymous

Lvl 1
4y ago

John Smith and his exploration team trespassed on paramount lands.

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Anonymous

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4y ago

its because he didnt like him

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Q: Why did chief Powhatan wants to kill John Smith?
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Related questions

Who was the Chief that captured John smith?

His name was Chief Powhatan.


Who was the Indian chief who helped Smith?

The Indian chief who helped John smith was Powhatan


Chief Powhatan had captain john smith kidnapped in order to?

Chief Powhatan had Captain John Smith kidnapped in order to impress Smith with his power. He also wanted to show the Indian's desire for peace.


Who Is The Native Leader Who Helped John Smith?

the native leader who helped John smith was chief Powhatan


Who saved John Smith from being executed by chief Powhatan?

Pocahontas


John Smith forged a relationship with the Native American Chief named?

Powhatan


Who ordered John Smith to be put to death?

Powhatan, the chief of the town, aka Pocahontas's father


Who is Pocahontas' dad?

Thomas Rolfe


With what Native American chief did John Smith forge a relationship?

The Native American Chief's name was "Wahunsonacock" or "Chief Powhatan".


Who was almost executed by Chief Powhatan?

In the 'Pocahontas' Disney movie, Chief Powhatan was about to execute John Smith, but Pocahontas saved him by throwing herself in the way of the weapon, causing the Chief to stop.


Powhatan lectured John Smith about in a speech he addressed to John Smith?

Powhatan lectured John Smith about _________ in a speech he addressed to John Smith.


What Chief Powhatan most famous for?

Chief Powhatan was famous for being the paramount chief of Tsenacommacah. However, he was most well-known for being the father of Pocahontas, who saved an Englishman called John Smith from being killed by her father.