Hello and welcome to a history of the United States, Episode 7, A Fresh Start.

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The relationship between the English colonists at Jamestown and the Powhatan Confederacy had always been strained, ever since the first settlers arrived.

In early 1609, it was revealed just how fragile this relationship was when John Smith had to flee for his life after Wau and Sonocock tried to assassinate him

at Wero Waucomoco, and Smith, soon afterwards, only being able to secure food for the colony

by conducting trade negotiations with Oppenjankinoff, literally at gunpoint.

The only reason the colony had been able to survive this long was because of

the food supplied by the powertans, and the next two years would be difficult. Indeed, this would be

the starving time. So, what happened when Smith returns to Jamestown?

This was where we left things last week.

Well, he was met with more bad news.

There had been an accident when some of the men were sailing to Hog Island.

Eleven were killed, including two councillors, Scrivener and Waldo.

Word then came back of the Germans with Wahonsonak,

encouraging further defection. When Smith went out to investigate, he was attacked by a group of Pasperhays, commanded by the chief, Wawinchopunct, in which Smith was almost killed. This would prove beneficial though in the long term.

The Pasperhays were not as powerful as the Powhatans, and Smith was able to outman them.

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