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Everything We Learned About Pocahontas Was Actually A Lie

The truth is so much better.

Elana
Everything We Learned About Pocahontas Was Actually A Lie

Whether the blame should be placed on the public education system cherry-coating American history to students as far back as grade school or on Disney for their adorable cartoon movie featuring mischievous raccoons and bubble bath taking pugs, one thing is for certain: Most of America doesn't know a sliver of truth about Pocahontas. 

A genuine Native American person who existed and had a profound impact on the foundation and history of the United States has somehow had her true story shrouded with bubbly lies that leave Americans feeling good about their history when the truth is truly fascinating. Now, a new documentary called Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth is breaking out the truth and telling everyone point blank: pretty much everything you think you know about this heroic icon is a blatant lie. 

But the truth about Pocahontas is truly a fascinating story we should all embrace with eagerness....

To just what extent is the Disney movie a lie?

A huge extent, it turns out.To just what extent is the Disney movie a lie?YouTube

However... We don't blame you for enjoying the movie.

Disney's 90's classic Pocahontas is a good story. It features pleasurable songs, adorable characters, heroic characters, and jams in danger and love. What is not to enjoy about the story?However... We don't blame you for enjoying the movie.YouTube

In comes this documentary...

Presented by the Smithsonian, this Pocahontas documentary is cutting out all the lies, busting all the myths, and fascinating us with the truth.In comes this documentary...YouTube

Mind blowing fact Number One?

Her name wasn't even Pocahontas. WHAT? Her real name was Amonute and she was the daughter born to a Powhatan ruler in 1596. Her family called her Matoaka, and it was only her third name that was Pocahontas.Mind blowing fact Number One?YouTube

In fact, according to the documentary just about the only thing that isn't a myth or lie about Pocahontas is that John Smith was captured by a Powhatan tribe when he arrived in the New World.

Quote from historian Camilla Townsend:

"There are truly hundreds of books over the many years that have been written about her, but when I tried to look into it, I found that most of them were full of hogwash.”Quote from historian Camilla Townsend:YouTube

Mass Appeal

Camilla, a historian who worked on the documentary, also said that there is no historical evidence that Pocahontas was ever in love with John Smith and certainly none that she threw herself in front of him to spare his life.Mass AppealYouTube

So, where did that myth come from?

Shockingly... John Smith. Upon his release by the Powhatans, he wrote a story claiming he was treated fairly by the tribe. And the love story angle? It wasn’t mentioned until several years later in his book The General History of Virginia and was probably left out for the major age gap between the two. John Smith was 27 and Pocahontas was only 11 years old.So, where did that myth come from?YouTube

One of the biggest mysteries that truly remains is whether or not the Powhatans ever even tried to execute him in the first place. Yet by the time his book was published, John Smith had passed away and was unable to clarify or dispute any rumors.

But that didn't stop the historians from diving deeper to find the truth....

The Historian-Influenced Theory:

Historians now believe that the story of Pocahontas rescuing John Smith from execution was created in an attempt to make the white settlers feel better about their culture.The Historian-Influenced Theory:YouTube
Historian Camilla said, "I think the reason it’s been so popular—not among Native Americans, but among people of the dominant culture—is that it’s very flattering to us. The idea is that this is a ‘good Indian.’ She admires the white man, admires Christianity, admires the culture, wants to have peace with these people, is willing to live with these people rather than her own people, marry him rather than one of her own."YouTube

Camilla also said:

That whole idea makes people in white American culture feel good about our history. That we were not doing anything wrong to the Indians but really were helping them and the ‘good’ ones appreciated it.

In reality Pocahontas did go on to marry John Wolfe, a white man, and she also converted to Christianity but historians continue to insist that the chances this union or conversion were truly voluntary are slim to none.

If you want to learn more about the truth behind Pocahontas check out this video and let us know what you think! Did you learn about Pocahontas from the Disney film? Did you learn the truth in grade school or later in life? How shocking or fascinating is the truth to you?

Disney doesn't always depict stories the way they were intended to be. This is true, especially for the Grimm Brothers fairy tales. Disney princesses are also quite unrealistic, and this is what they would look like if they actually had realistic proportions. 

Elana