Captain John Smith is often regarded as a "hero" of Jamestown primarily due to his strong leadership qualities and his practical contributions to the survival of the settlement. Of the options listed, the statement that best captures his heroic role is:
His discipline as a soldier made him a brave and hard-working leader.
Smith's leadership style was characterized by strict discipline, which was crucial in managing the settlers during the early years of the colony when survival was uncertain. He played a vital role in maintaining order and encouraging cooperation among the settlers, which ultimately helped the struggling colony endure through difficult times.
Additionally, it is worth noting that while he did interact with Native Americans and fostered relationships that were crucial for trading and survival, he also faced challenges regarding those interactions. He did lead efforts to teach settlers about agriculture, including planting corn, but his primary heroism stemmed from his leadership and ability to instill discipline in a challenging environment.