To Freedom with Chains William Bradford and John Smith are two notorious figures in American history. Both men established colonization in the New World through the use of pamphlets, diaries, and personal accounts of life after England. William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Plantation, was a devout Puritan and at the tender age of twelve, received his first copy of the Bible. For John Smith, an English Soldier and Captain, he had no one to thank but himself for any accomplishments achieved in Jamestown, Virginia. In the text, The General History, one can find numerous references to Smith as a perfect leader who only sought to help his community thrive. While he may have thought that his fellow settlers viewed him as an all-powerful …show more content…
William Bradford had an advantage, seeing as that he shared the religious views of his people. He was a devout Puritan and believed in the simplistic way of life, versus John Smith who sought adventure and notoriety. Bradford was well-respected and his people appointed him governor over thirty times. While both William Bradford and John Smith were able to realize their settlements, John Smith had a much more difficult time connecting with the other men. They found John Smith to be incredibly vain and immodest and one can note this in his writings. In John Smith’s The General History, a text meant to transform the weltanschauung of the New World, he wrote that, “ The new President and Martin, being little beloved, of weak judgment in dangers and less industry in peace, committed the managing of all things abroad to Captain Smith: who by his own example, good words, and fair promises, set some to mow, others to bind thatch, some to build houses, others to thatch them, himself always bearing the greatest task for his own share, so that in short time, he provided most of them [with] lodgings, neglecting any for himself.” The aforesaid quote may seem to have been written by a fellow settler in order to exonerate John Smith for his leadership abilities but in fact, it is John, himself, who wrote this in …show more content…
Without common goals, interests, and good chemistry, a settlement could fall apart in a matter of days. William Bradford and his fellow men began their settlement with a common goal of relinquishing ties to the adorned Church of England, and starting their own utopia, where they were free to practice their religion as they pleased without fear of incarceration or harassment. William Bradford had an outstanding sense of community; he was well-respected by his people and elected over thirty times to be Governor of Plymouth Plantation. For John Smith, his sense of community was abysmal. Once his feet stepped onto Virginian soil, he was given a leadership position and never had to seek favor with his fellow men. As time went by, the settlers came to see him as a very boastful man and over imaginative. He was also reckless, as noted with his capture by Powhatan’s men, immediately after landing. Ironically, however, his over confidence, and trinkets are what saved him from the wrath of the men he referred to as “savages.” While there are many differences between William Bradford and John Smith, they both agreed, in the end, that “…to make America thrive required not fantasies but patience, a sense of glory, an experienced commander, and above all, hard work.” William Bradford did not fight in the Netherlands and Hungary before the age of twenty-five or been captured and taken as slave to
William Bradford was the second governor of Plymouth and served for 30 or more years. During those years Bradford did what was thought to be best for Plymouth. William Bradford started off by living in England but made it to the New World. Once getting to the New World, Bradford had to make decisions that would help the people of Plymouth and not cause any damage or harm. William Bradford made choices that led to the progress of Plymouth.
While both settlers were met with Natives of the new land, each had two profound differences as to how they went about communicating and living with them. In order to best answer the question that still is of relevance to today’s nation, “Why did Plymouth, rather than Jamestown, earn pride of
He says, “But that each parish, or village, in city, or country, that will but apparel their fatherless children, of thirteen or fourteen years of age, or young married people, that have small wealth to live on; here by their labor may live exceedingly well” (pg. 57 Norton Anthology). Another Example of self-indulgence in Smith’s writing is in “From the General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles”. As he tells the story of arriving and settling in Jamestown, he speaks mostly of himself and how he overcame all of the hurdles that were tossed at him. Sure, you can see the story line loud and clear, but he doesn’t speak much of anyone but himself.
The New Englanders took religion seriously, making unitary laws according to Puritan standards. John Winthrop, later chosen as the first Massachusetts Bay Colony governor, was seeking religious freedom. Wishing to inspire the colonists to dwell in brotherly unity, he summoned them together to remind them “that if we [colonists] shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.” On the other hand, those in the Chesapeake region came for the wealth that America promised. They were there to become prosperous or die trying.
Life in Colonial America was different for all those involved, which were the settlers of Jamestown, Plymouth, and Massachusetts Bay colony.. Jamestown, Plymouth, and Massachusetts Bay had similarities and differences. They each had their own unique leaders, form of government, economics, and ways of life, although all the settlers in these colonies had a deep dependence on God. Jamestown was the first permanent settlement in North America, founded in 1607.
In the text, “Chief Joseph Speaks…,” by Chief Joseph, he says, “We gave up our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white men would not leave us alone. ,” showing the place the natives had in westward expansion. This
Although Byrd and Bradford were both writing about the same topic, they had very different purposes for writing each of their articles. In Bradford and Byrd’s articles, they both examined the early settlers and both perceived them differently. Bradford described the settlers as very hardworking and determined. They were willing to do anything and everything to be successful in the new country. On their journey to America they had a lot of troubles, including problems with their ship, but that did not let it stop them.
Robert Morgan, Author of “There is No True History of the Westward Expansion” gives his points of what his beliefs on what Westward Expansion were. Morgan talks about what his view of Westward Expansion was, by using many other peoples perspectives. Morgan presents two main points in his literature: First being that history is not made up of just a few heroes and villains, and second that average citizens were responsible for Westward Expansion. I agree with one of Morgan's views, however, I do not agree with his other view. The first point that Morgan presents is that history is not made up of just a few heros and villains.
&&“Love and Hate in Jamestown” is a book that tells the story of the U.S.’s first colony in the eyes of the American legend John Smith and through the accounts of the other settlers. The book starts with a small history lesson and eventually ties it in with John Smith, a soldier who eventually becomes a leader among the men in Jamestown. As we read, there is more detail to whom Smith is; where he came from, a small farm in London; what he went through, he became a soldier fighting in foreign lands with the Turks and getting caught; his family, the battles with his father that kept Smith home as an archer. Moreover, Smiths’ story rolls over to how he was able to go to Virginia; the colony in Virginia started out as a business investment until it was royal property in the 1620’s. Now, while going to
Bradford’s religious Puritan views were very important to him and he wanted to make sure the people of New England would have a Puritan church so that they could practice their religion without interference from England because in England they were forced to be part of the Church of England. People such as Thomas Morton did not fancy to William Bradford. Morton’s Anglican ways, his dancing, drinking, and building of the Maypole made Bradford
He joined the Puritans. Reformers who wanted to purify the Church of England and separate from it. With other Puritans, he migrated to Holland in search of religious freedom. ” The quote is describing William Bradford, who was a Puritan who moved to Holland and established the colony of Plymouth for religious freedom.
The arrival of the first Europeans in the Americas is dramatically captured through the many writers who attempted to communicate what they saw, experienced and felt. What is more, the very purposes of their treacherous travel and colonization are clearly seen in their writings; whether it is poetry, history or sermons. Of the many literary pieces available today, William Bradford and John Winthrop’s writings, even though vary because the first is a historical account and the second is a sermon, stand out as presenting a clear trust in God, the rules that would govern them and the reason they have arrived in the Americas. First of all, William Bradford provides an in-depth look into the first moment when the Puritans arrived in the Americas. In fact, he chronicles the hardships they face on their way to Plymouth, yet he includes God’s provision every step of the way.
And whispers started, neighbors telling neighbors how Smith said the new people were kind and hospitable to him. How Smith said the new people treated him to their delicacies and provided him with provisions on his journeys. How Smith said the new people were respectful, helpful, and friendly. Smith writes about Chief Powhatan of the Powhatan Nation, "He kindly welcomed me with such good words and great platters of sundry victuals, assuring me his friendship and my Liberty in four days... Having all the kindness he could devise, sought to content me, he sent me home with four men: one that usually carried my gown and knapsack after me, two loaded with bread, and one to accompany me."
John Smith was the son of a farmer, but he became a soldier at the age of six. He travelled well in Europe and NearEast fighting and winning many wars which later saw him promoted to captain. In 1607, Smith led a group of colonist across the Atlantic Ocean and came down to settle in the now the United States. He established a good relationship with the natives. In his book, A True Relation of Virginia, Smith describes the life in America and encourages English to change their misconception about Americans (Smith, 16).
He claimed: “If a man work but three days in seven, he may get more than he can spend, unless he will be excessive.” Bradford, however, warned of the dangers of prosperity, and that too much prosperity can destroy community, as he said here: “For now as their stocks increased, and the increase vendible, there was no longer any holding them together…” Bradford believed that community was the best form of prosperity, while Smith valued wealth and success. John Smith wrote in a way that exaggerated about New England, so that people would come there to seek their fortunes and build cities, “…they fish but an hour a day, to take more than they eat in a week…” whereas, Bradford’s writing was simply a narrative, recounting the stories of the puritan