Both William Bradford and John Smith helped found American colonies. How did their actions differ?
Bradford developed cash-crop agriculture, while Smith focused on subsistence farming.
Bradford had little involvement with colonial government, while Smith became a governor.
Bradford spread his religion to the colonies, while Smith mostly encouraged economic growth.
Bradford warred with local Native Americans, while Smith cooperated with them peacefully.
To understand how the actions of William Bradford and John Smith differed in founding American colonies, we can examine their areas of focus and their approaches to various aspects of colonial development.
1. Agriculture:
- Bradford: William Bradford was instrumental in developing cash-crop agriculture. He helped establish and promote the cultivation of crops like corn, wheat, and barley, which were essential for the economic growth of the colonies.
- Smith: John Smith, on the other hand, focused more on subsistence farming. He emphasized the cultivation of crops necessary for sustaining the early colonists, such as corn, beans, and squash.
2. Involvement in colonial government:
- Bradford: Although he played a significant role in the overall leadership of the Plymouth Colony, William Bradford had relatively little involvement with colonial government. He held leadership positions within the colony, such as being elected as the governor multiple times, but his focus was primarily on the welfare and development of the community.
- Smith: In contrast, John Smith became more directly involved in colonial government. He served as the governor of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia and played a crucial role in establishing rules and governing structures to maintain order and stability.
3. Spread of religion and economic growth:
- Bradford: William Bradford was a Puritan who sought to establish a community based on religious principles. While he encouraged the practice of his own religious beliefs within the Plymouth Colony, his main focus was on creating a stable and prosperous community rather than actively spreading his religion to others.
- Smith: John Smith, however, placed more emphasis on economic growth and the prosperity of the Jamestown Colony. His primary objective was to establish profitable enterprises and trade relationships to ensure the financial success of the settlement.
4. Relationship with Native Americans:
- Bradford: William Bradford's interactions with the local Native Americans were marked by conflict and struggles. The Plymouth Colony engaged in warfare with local tribes, such as the Pequot and Wampanoag, which had significant consequences for both sides.
- Smith: In contrast, John Smith cooperated with Native Americans more peacefully. He famously established a positive relationship with the Powhatan Confederacy, led by Chief Powhatan, which helped Jamestown survive during its early years.
In summary, while both William Bradford and John Smith were instrumental in founding American colonies, their actions differed in various ways. Bradford focused on cash-crop agriculture, had little involvement with colonial government, emphasized communal welfare, and had conflicts with local Native Americans. On the other hand, Smith emphasized subsistence farming, played a more significant role in colonial government as a governor, focused on economic growth, and fostered a more cooperative relationship with Native Americans.
The correct answer is:
Bradford warred with local Native Americans, while Smith cooperated with them peacefully.