Chief Powhatan was commonly known as the father of the ever famous Pocahontas. It is no wonder that the latter is more famous than her father, with her being the subject in many Disney projects. However, looking through these many projects, Chief Powhatan was of constant presence. He was there to supposedly go against the love blossoming between Pocahontas and the English General, John Smith. However, in reality, in the real Native American context, Chief Powhatan was more than a simple contradiction of love. He was one strong leader who bravely fought against the English army. He was a strong leader capable of managing around 35,000 men.
Chief Powhatan’s Early Life
Chief Powhatan was born on June 17, 1545. Originally, he was not known as Powhatan, but Wahunsenacawh. There really was not much known about how the chief has led his life prior to his leadership. One thing was for sure, his leadership started with him ruling over six communities at a young age. These communities were first led by his father. Other than that, from them on, most accounts of him pertained to how he expanded his territories and how he ruled his people.
Chief Powhatan’s Leadership
As mentioned, the Native American Leader Powhatan’s initial domain was only 6 communities. However, with his strength and determination, he was able to collect additional 3o communities more and ruled approximately 15,000 up to 35,000 people at one point in his life. His territory was located in what is now known as Richmond. According to some researchers, Chief Powhatan was one hell of a strict leader. At the same time, he was also sometimes borderline cruel. However, other than anchoring in fear and cruelty, Chief Powhatan also thought highly of growth through marriage and negotiations. The center of his territory was less politically dependent than the others.
With the number of subordinates, his position can already be equated to being an emperor, with his domain being known as the Tsenacommacah. In his system of ruling, each tribe under his wing has their own chief, and these chiefs report directly to him. In some sense, he was a chief of many chiefs. With this, he was considered as a supreme leader in the Chesapeake Bay. His territory has led his legible to the formation of his own confederacy, the Powhatan Confederacy during the 17th century.
Chief Powhatan’s Association of the Englishmen
The appearance of John Smith in their lives was considered as one of the main triggers of the tribe’s war against the Englishmen. As many already know, John Smith was an American General who came into contact with the tribe, although, many still questions whether it was by accident or not. John Smith created a camp in Jamestown. Many said that Chief Powhatan tried to execute John Smith and that Pocahontas saved him.
However, in some other accounts, it was said that John Smith was actually given a ceremony. He was appointed as a subchief for the purpose of creating an alliance. Looking at it closely, it was a strategic approach from Chief Hiawatha. With the alliance, the tribe was in constant support of the army, especially in terms of providing food and other necessities. During that time, Chief Powhatan considered it as a good opportunity to have the armies in Jamestown under an alliance to further increase his leverage against Monacan, Mannahoac, and Massawomeck tribes. Apparently, there was no possibility of a long-lasting alliance between the two parties. Both were simply cordial to each other as they try to assess each others’ strengths and weaknesses.
Chief Powhatan and the War
In 1602, things started to get rocky. With no clear indication of submission from the part of the English armies, Chief Powhatan decided to take a huge action. He decided to stop sending food and trade in order to force submission. This has resulted in the what is now called as the Anglo-Powhatan war. Both armies attacked each other as peace finally lost its hold between the two. Chief Powhatan ordered an attack in Jamestown strategically at the time when John Smith was not around. It was said that around 80% of the armies died. It was almost near victory, unfortunately, the English back-up came.
Things started to worsen when Pocahontas was kidnapped in order to push Chief Powhatan to surrender. She was deemed as a good target as rumors suggested that she was a favorite of her father. During this time, two subtribes had already been conquered, namely the Kecoughtan and the Paspahegh. Upon Pocahontas’ capture, Chief Powhatan reconsidered surrender in order to save his daughter. In the end, it has come to a conclusion that Pocahontas weds John Rolfe, a tobacco planter. John Rolfe was said to be of Native American descent, although, he was clearly more proud of his British Ancestry. By then, the marriage has again reestablished between the tribe of Chief Powhatan and the English army. With this, the whole war stopped in 1614.
