The Powhatans were nervous about the arrival of English settlers because they perceived a threat to their land, resources, and way of life. The settlers' need for land and expansion clashed with the Powhatans' territory, leading to fears of encroachment and conflict. Additionally, the settlers brought new diseases, which could devastate Indigenous populations unaccustomed to such illnesses. Overall, the arrival of the English settlers marked the beginning of significant cultural and territorial upheaval for the Powhatan Confederacy.