September 18, 2017
History 126
Settlement Essay
At nearly every establishment of mankind there is a crucial element of humanity: religion. Whether it be due to human's inner need for explanation, desire to fulfill a greater purpose, or maybe simply to form connections and bonds with one another, nearly every frontier of humankind has integrated religion into their way of life. Since the beginning of time, religion has been formed and reformed: archaic people believed in the spirit world, Africans worshiped a slew of tribal gods, Christianity and Islam were established in Afro-Eurasia, Native Americans held faith in ancestral and worldly spirits that oversaw their lives. As religions are established, they spread across webs of connection, changing and converting groups of people. Religion shapes humanity.
The establishment of religion can be examined in the North American colonial outposts of Europe during the 17th century. As colonists left their native land of Europe and entered the unknown “New World” they brought with them a central element of their culture and life: …show more content…
Pocahontas, daughter of chief Powhatan (the leader who controlled interaction between natives and Jamestown colonists) was a very charismatic woman. She quickly learned some English when settlers landed in Virginia, and served as an emissary between the natives and colonists. In 1613, Europeans captured Pocahontas and held her ransom for Englishmen whom Powhatan had captured. During her time as a captive, Pocahontas was taught English and converted to Christianity, eventually marrying an Englishman and being baptised and rechristened Rebecca. Pocahontas adopted Christian ideals and served as a bridge between the native people and colonists. She helped facilitate peaceful relations between the two peoples, showing how some conversion efforts of colonists can improve relations between natives and