John SmithEssay Preview: John SmithReport this essayJohn Smith was born on January 9, 1580 in Willoughby, England. He was an English adventurer and soldier, and one of the founders of Jamestown, Virginia and was the author of the first book written in America in English.
At the age of sixteen after his father passed away, he ran away from home to volunteer in France who were fighting the Dutch independence from Spain. Two years later he headed toward the Mediterranean Sea where he began working on a merchant ship. At the age of twenty he joined Austrian Forces and was promoted to Captain. In Transylvania, he was wounded in battle and captured and was sold as a slave to a Turk. This Turk then sent Smith to Istanbul where he managed to escape.
Smith became actively involved with the Virginia Companys plans to colonize Virginia for profit. The expedition, composed of three ships, set sail on December 20, 1606, and finally reached Virginia in April 1607. When the sealed box that listed the names of the seven council members who were to govern the colony was opened, Smiths name was on the list. On May 13, 1607 the settlers landed at Jamestown ready to begin the task of surviving in a new environment.
Bad weather, lack of fresh water, and the spread of disease made life difficult for the settlers. The Algokian Indians who hoped the settlers would get tired and leave often attacked them. At this point Smith was the leader of the colonist and did his best to fight off the Indians.
In 1607 John Smith was captured by the Indians and was taken to the chief Powatan. Impressed by Smiths self-confidence, the chief took him in and had him participate in some of the Indian rituals. John Smith was released in friendship after about four weeks of captivity and returned to Jamestown.
Personal conflicts, as well as disagreements over new policies being formulated in London, developed among Smith and various leaders. As a result, Smith left Jamestown to explore and map the Chesapeake Bay region and search for badly needed food supplies. Due to bad government and near chaos, Smith was eventually elected president of the local council in September 1608. He instituted a policy of rigid discipline, strengthened defenses and encouraged farming with this admonishment: “He who does not work, will not eat.” Because of his strong leadership, the settlement survived and grew during the next year. Unfortunately, Smith was accidentally injured by a gunpowder burn and
l. had no right to seek medical treatment in England.„By the end of the winter, Smith was dead.
Despite his political prowess, none of the leaders of Jamestown saw the benefits of this policy.
However, when the time came, Smith’s decision to seek a peaceful resolution became popular. After a series of battles with the rebels and the abolitionist forces leading the colonists in the first half of 1708, his decision to lead the American Revolution was honored by the “Chambers of the Prophet” (CIV). On July 24, 1710, Smith appointed Smith a general of the Revolution and a vice-presidency. The term “General” was a reference to his “grandson-in-law,” James “Madame” Smith, who was a prominent member of the revolutionary movement. Smith became a hero on both sides of the Atlantic, and he led the Revolution in England, where he lost a great many battles. He made a big splash with his political power when that period saw a severe drought, which would become more and more acute, but he remained loyal to and devoted in order to win the popular support of England. On July 17, 1711, Smith appointed James the general of the Revolution.CIV
Smith was known for his ability to manage the affairs of Congress. In 1712 he was awarded a commission on behalf of the Rhode Island government to advise them about their problems and problems, including the subject of the Bank of America. Smith advised the Rhode Island legislature that they should avoid raising taxes unless they had “sufficient food.”N. N.
The Congress took up the general’s cause and issued an ordinance for setting up an office for the General. The general was given permission to stay in the House until July 19, when he would be chosen again for his new job, as Commander of American and Commonwealth at the head of the militia. But Smith’s appointment was not without controversy. Because of the poor health and the frequent outbreaks of disease in the Rhode Island legislature, which had little to do with his work and were instead a result of political and legal conflicts with other American officials, the government decided Smith had to leave Rhode Island.In March 1714, Smith was chosen in the Continental Congress as a presidential candidate. He met President Thomas Jefferson, but was dismissed before he could complete his constitutional duties. He eventually returned to the States and established himself with the Continental Army, under General Washington Dwayne, who had supported the colonists in the rebellion. A year later, under the title of General, Smith became a member of the Continental Congress.CIV
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