England EmpireBased on Struggle & Survival

• Opechancanough

• Indian Resistance Leader against the

English

Opechancanough• Around May 1607, The English arrived in

Native Territory ruled by the Powhatan tribe. Opechancanough was a tribal chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, what is now Virginia, and was leader from 1618 until his death 1646. His name meant “He whose soul is white” in the Algonquian language. Opechancanough was a feared warrior and a charismatic leader of the Powhatan’s. His tribe situated alone the Pamunkey River. He captured John Smith of Jamestown and brought him to Chief Powhatan. And it is said that the younger daughter of Powhatan stopped them from killing him. The daughter was Pocahontas, married John Rolfe in 1614, and for a while there was peace between the English and the Powhatan’s. Until Pocahontas died, the English and the Powhatan’s returned to battle. Opechancanough attempted to force the English our of his region, but failed and was later captured.

Opechancanough• Opechancanough was known to be one of

the greatest supreme chieftain who constructed and Indian empire in the end of the 16th century. By 1607 Powhatan ruled the largest, most politically and culturally unified chiefdom in Virginia, and had a population of 12,000 people. When Opechancanough was captured he led his people in a struggle for survival, while trying to preserve their self-respect. The Powhatan’s chose death over enslavement. Opechancanough thought to have been between 90 or 100 years, and was killed by a soldier, shot in the back.