Jamestown Clash Assignment
Social Studies • Early Virginia
Jamestown & The Powhatan Confederacy
Name:
Date: Score:
Historical Reading: Clashing Worlds
Disagreement over land was not the only conflict between the colonists and the American Indians. In many instances, the English wanted to rule the Indian groups. The Jamestown, Virginia colony was founded within the territory of Chief Powhatan. He was the leader of the Tsenacommacah and led a confederacy, or several American Indian groups in the region. Often, American Indian groups formed alliances for political, economic, or military reasons. He had unified dozens of groups of American Indians before the settlers arrived.
At first, Jamestown was not successful. It was located in a swampy area with polluted water and lots of insects that carried disease. The colony's leaders were not happy with their location. As more settlers arrived, conflict grew over land because they wanted more territory already occupied by American Indians. Furthermore, Captain John Smith imagined that American Indians would become subjects of England and convert to Christianity. The American Indians did not agree.
These tensions led to three major wars. The First Powhatan War began in 1610 and ended in 1614 when Pocahontas married English settler John Rolfe, bringing peace for a time. After Chief Powhatan died in 1618, his younger brother became leader. English settlers continued expanding into Powhatan territory, and in 1622, the Second Powhatan War began. After ten years of fighting over land, the second war ended in 1632.
1
Vocabulary in Context
Write the letter of the matching definition in each box.
1. Confederacy
A. A formal union of several independent groups or nations.
2. Alliance
B. An agreement made for mutual political, economic, or defense goals.
3. Subjects
C. People under the legal control and rule of a monarch or government.
2
Text Evidence & Key Details
1. Besides disagreements over land, what else did English leaders like Captain John Smith expect the American Indians to do?
2. What environmental and health challenges made Jamestown's original location unsuccessful, leading settlers to want more land?
3. What specific event brought an end to the First Powhatan War in 1614?
Early Virginia Colonies • Student Assignment Page 1 of 2 → Continue to Page 2
Historical Analysis
Causes, Conflicts & Perspectives
Student Name:
3
Cause and Effect Organizer
Fill in each missing cause or effect based on the text.
Cause
Jamestown was built on swampy ground with polluted water and disease-carrying insects.
Effect (Write below):
Cause (Write below):
Effect
The First Powhatan War ended, bringing a temporary period of peace between both groups.
Cause
Chief Powhatan died in 1618, and English settlers kept expanding into Powhatan territory.
Effect (Write below):
4
Powhatan Wars Timeline
1610
First War Begins
Hostilities break out over colonial expansion and governance.
1614
Peace Accord
Pocahontas marries John Rolfe, pausing conflict.
1618
New Leadership
Chief Powhatan passes away; his brother takes leadership.
1622–1632
Second War
A decade-long struggle over land concludes in 1632.
5
Historical Perspective & Short Response
Prompt: Captain John Smith believed American Indians should become English subjects and Christians, while Chief Powhatan had already unified dozens of independent nations into a confederacy. Why did their differing beliefs make lasting peace difficult? Use details from the text in your response.
Self-Check: Answered in complete sentences Included evidence from the passage
Page 2 of 2
Jamestown Clash Answer Key
Teacher Reference Answer Key
Jamestown & The Powhatan Confederacy
Total Score: 20 Points Pages 1 & 2 Solutions
Instructional Purpose: This assignment assesses student understanding of multiple root causes of conflict beyond land disputes, specifically competing forms of government (a native confederacy vs. English imperial rule) and environmental pressures.
1
Part 1: Vocabulary in Context (3 Points)
1 pt each
1. Confederacy A
Key: A formal union of several independent groups or nations.
2. Alliance B
Key: An agreement made for mutual political, economic, or defense goals.
3. Subjects C
Key: People under the legal control and rule of a monarch or government.
2
Part 2: Text Evidence & Key Details (6 Points)
2 pts each (1 pt concept + 1 pt complete sentence)
1. English Expectations for American Indians
2 pts
Exemplar Answer: English leaders like Captain John Smith expected American Indians to become subjects of England and to convert to Christianity.
Grading Look-Fors: Student must mention both (1) becoming English subjects / obeying English rule and (2) adopting Christianity / English religion. Accept partial credit (1 pt) if only one concept is cited.
2. Jamestown Geography & Expansion Motivations
2 pts
Exemplar Answer: Jamestown was built in a swampy area with polluted water and insects that spread disease. Because the colony struggled, settlers wanted healthier, more fertile land that was already occupied by American Indians.
Grading Look-Fors: Student mentions swampy land/bad water/disease-carrying insects AND connects this condition to why colonists encroached onto Indian land.
3. Resolution of the First Powhatan War
2 pts
Exemplar Answer: The First Powhatan War ended in 1614 when Pocahontas married English settler John Rolfe, establishing a period of peace.
Grading Look-Fors: Names the marriage of Pocahontas and John Rolfe (1 pt) and identifies that it brought a period of peace/ended the war (1 pt).
Jamestown & The Powhatan Confederacy • Teacher Key Page 1 of 2 → See Page 2 for Parts 3–5
Teacher Reference
Part 3–5 Answer Key & Scoring Rubric
Grading Guide • 11 Points Remaining
3
Part 3: Cause and Effect Organizer (3 Points)
1 pt per accurate box
Given Cause:
Jamestown was built on swampy ground with polluted water and insects.
Expected Student Effect:
The colony was unsuccessful/unhealthy, so colonists pushed outward for land occupied by American Indians.
Expected Student Cause:
Pocahontas married English settler John Rolfe in 1614.
Given Effect:
The First Powhatan War ended, bringing a temporary period of peace.
Given Cause:
Chief Powhatan died in 1618, and settlers continued encroaching on native land.
Expected Student Effect:
The Second Powhatan War began in 1622 (and lasted 10 years until 1632).
4
Part 4: Timeline Sequence & Historical Milestones
Reference / Discussion
Ensure students note the 10-year span (1622–1632) and observe that peace in 1614 was temporary because underlying territorial and authority disagreements were never resolved.
5
Part 5: Historical Perspective Written Response (8 Points)
Scored via Rubric
Grade 5 Exemplar Response:
“Lasting peace was difficult because both sides held completely opposite viewpoints about leadership and land. Chief Powhatan had already unified dozens of independent Indian groups into a strong confederacy, so they had their own leaders and way of life. They did not agree with giving up their land. Meanwhile, Captain John Smith and English colonists believed the American Indians should become subjects of England, obey English rulers, and convert to Christianity. Because the English wanted total control and the Powhatan confederacy wanted to remain independent on their own land, their goals clashed and caused repeated wars.”
| Score |
Content & Text Evidence Criteria |
Mechanics |
| 7–8 pts |
|
|
| Exemplary |
Clearly contrasts English expectations (subjects, Christianity) with Powhatan confederacy's existing sovereignty; cites accurate text evidence. |
Complete sentences, clear reasoning, minimal errors. |
| 5–6 pts |
|
|
| Proficient |
Explains conflict over rule and land; identifies at least one specific perspective from text (e.g., John Smith or Powhatan confederacy). |
Mostly complete sentences; easy to follow. |
| 3–4 pts |
|
|
| Developing |
States only that both groups fought over land without analyzing the differing political/religious expectations mentioned in the passage. |
Sentence fragments or informal phrasing. |
Jamestown & The Powhatan Confederacy • Teacher Assessment Guide Page 2 of 2
