In this immersive episode of Why Wars Happened, we dive into the chaotic early days of Jamestown, where colonists fought each other as much as they fought to survive. Secret councils schemed in the shadows, John Smith was imprisoned, and starvation brought the colony to the edge of collapse.

Through rumors, explosions, and political infighting, John Smith clawed his way to power—becoming the colony’s unlikely “good dictator.” Along the way, we unravel what the movie Pocahontas actually got right… and what it completely made up.

This is a story of starvation, betrayal, and survival, told with off-camera narration and calming visuals that immerse you in the past.

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💬 Comment below: Would you have followed John Smith—or turned against him?

🕰️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Recap

00:15 – The Virginia Company and Early Governance

01:12 – John Smith’s Trials and Tribulations

02:43 – Councils, Cliques, and Power Struggles

06:51 – Starvation and Mismanagement Grip Jamestown

09:13 – The Rise of John Smith

12:21 – Smith’s Final Days in Power

18:12 – The Council Returns to Rule

19:38 – Closing + Next Episode Teaser

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