John Smith Compare And Contrast

The Journey of two Boats Journeys to a new world were long and difficult for both captain John Smith and his men, and for William Bradford and his people. Neither of them knew what was lying ahead and what they would have to face and overcome. Both ships traveled to the New World looking for new opportunities. They settled naming their cities Jamestown, from John Smith, and Plymouth Plantation from William Bradford. The two had many differences, but also some similarities. Captain John Smith wasn’t actually a very nice person. He was very selfish and would often only compliment himself. "...Captain Smith, who, by his own example, good words, and fair promises..."(Smith 71-72). After the Native Americans had found John Smith, he used one
of his guides as a human shield so he would not get hit by any arrows. "Then finding the Captain, as is said, that he used the savage that was his guide as a shield, all the rest would not come near him." (Smith 73) William Bradford from the Plymouth Plantation and his people on the other hand, was very kind people.
“...with abundance of toil or hazard on their own health, fetched them wood, made them fires, dressed them meat, made their beds, washed their loathsome clothes, clothed and unclothed them: in a word, did all the homely and necessary offices for them which dainty and queasy stomachs cannot endure to hear named: and all the willingly and cheerfully, without any grudging in the least, showing herein their true love for their friends and brethren.” (Bradford 79)
Smith is all about doing things only for himself, not thinking of others like William Bradford and his people are.

Captain Smith’s men were working, but not for the common good because they were working to get money for themselves. Smith was telling them that they had to work in order to eat. They would plant tobacco and would do nothing else, they wouldn’t even plant crops because growing food wouldn’t get them the money that they had wanted. William Bradford and his people, were selfless.
"...with the aforesaid Squanto. With whom, after friendly 31 entertainment, and some gifts given him, they made a peace with him (which hath now continued this 24 years) in these terms: That neither he nor any of his should injure or do hurt to any of their people. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his. If any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he should aid them. He should send to his neighbors confederates, to certify them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of peace. That when their men came to them, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them." (Bradford 82) Bradford and the Pilgrims were very religious, and had their own religious freedom since they left England. "...if they did not over-press her with sails. So they committed themselves to the will of God, and resolved to proceed." (Bradford 77) They believe that God can help lead the way through tough times. That is almost like how Smith and his men weren’t particularly religious either.
"when God, the patron of all good endeavors, in that desperate extremity so changed the hearts of the savages that they brought such plenty of their fruits and provision any no man wanted."

A similarity between these two were that while making the voyage from England to the new world, some of their people had gotten sick and died of disease, or dehydration.
“...being infected with the scurvy and other diseases, which this long voyage and their inccommodate condition had brought upon them: so as there died two or three a day, in the forsaid time: that of one hundred and odd persons, scarce fifty remained.” (Bradford 79)
There had been so many people who died because of these horrible things, that there was barely anyone left.
"From May to September, those that escaped lived upon sturgeon and sea crabs. Fifty in this time we buried." (Smith) John and William both came from England. They didn't exactly come at the same time, but they came from the same place. They also, each had a Native American come and help them. "He became profitable to them in acquainting them with many things concerning the state of the country in the east parts where he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of the people here, of their names, number, and strength; of their situation and distance from this place, and who was chief amongst them." (Bradford 81)
"...then as many as could, laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head and being ready with their clubs to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the King’s dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms and laid her own body upon his to save him from death" (Smith
74) These people have been made a legend, and have been able to make all of these events happen. William Bradford and Captain John Smith are good historical figures to look up and look forward to learning about.