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John Smith was most famous as:

a) An English colonist who married Pocahontas
b) An English colonist who discovered the possibilities of tobacco cultivation in Virginia
c) The leader of the Jamestown colony who helped it survive by prescribing strict discipline

1 Answer

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Final answer:

John Smith is best known as the leader who helped the Jamestown colony survive through his resourceful actions and strict discipline, not as the cultivator of tobacco or the husband of Pocahontas. Option c is the answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

John Smith is most famous as the leader of the Jamestown colony who helped it survive through strict discipline and resourceful actions. Contrary to the choices given, he did not marry Pocahontas, nor did he discover the possibilities of tobacco cultivation in Virginia; that credit goes to John Rolfe. Smith wrote about his experiences in the form of a celebrity autobiography that promoted his adventures and the New World. His role was critical in establishing diplomacy and trade with the Powhatan Indians, which was essential for the survival of Jamestown. Despite his braggadocio and conflict with colony leaders due to his commoner status, he was instrumental in securing enough food and maintaining a semblance of peace with the Indians. Smith's legacy is one of leadership and effective, though sometimes contentious, management of the early Colonial efforts in North America.

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