Compare And Contrast John Smith And William Bradford

Notably, in colonizing the New World, Captain John Smith and William Bradford were both significant figures. They both established colonies and through their writings, they hoped to attract more settlers that were relatable to them. Smith was the first man to endorse a permanent settlement of America. Bradford was a Puritan who was brave and firm on setting up a colony where people could practice their preferred religion freely. Both of these men shared similarities and differences with their relationship to his fellow settlers, their sense of community, and their view of the role providence played in his affairs and the affairs of his colony. In John Smith’s General History, he told about all the good things about New England
in hopes to get more people to be interested in settling in the New World. He also expresses how everything happened because of him and how he took recognition for being the leader when traveling to the New World. Smith made it seem that he was in control, even though the settlers disliked him because of his egotistical attitude. Smith also emphasizes how he helped the community of Jamestown with his survival skills and how even when he was held captive, he made an alliance with the Native Americans. Dangerous and exciting tales pervade his work in order to attract more audacious people to Jamestown. By way of contrast to Smith’s writings to appeal to the courageous, William Bradford sought after the addition of godly people to his colony. He had the same mindset like the others when they left the Church of England, because they believed it was corrupt; each believing that every person needed to have the freedom to worship however they shall. Bradford wrote about his actual experiences, intended for the future generations. In Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation mostly contained biblical allusions and providence to attract those who had knowledge of the
Bible and those who viewed life with providence. Throughout their journey, whether to the New
World or when trying to survive in this unknown land they end up in, Bradford thanked God for everything that had happened and giving them land for the freedom of worship.
These two men were important figures in colonizing the New World. John Smith and
William Bradford both tried to influence people to join them in the new world. They had different purposes and both wrote to attract different audiences. Both men even treated their situations differently. Given these points, though John Smith and William Bradford had their differences their intentions were both the same.