Pilgrim Myths P3

The Pequot Indians had established an exclusive trading monopoly with the Dutch and believed the arrival of English colonists threatened that lucrative arrangement. They therefore determined to strike the English settlements in the region and kill all colonists, including the Pilgrims, completely ridding the area of them and thus eliminating their competition. The Pequot launched their economically-motivated surprise attacks in Rhode Island, murdering colonists there. Other colonists were able to respond and organize counter strikes. The war spread across much of Connecticut and threatened the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies. It ended when Sassacus, the chief of the Pequot, was pursued and killed by the Mohegan and Mohawk tribes. The Pilgrims killed no natives during this conflict, but some modern articles nevertheless claim that the Thanksgiving of 1637 was held to give thanks that they slaughtered natives. This is completely wrong. It was called to give thanks for the end of the Pequot War and the restoration of general peace to the region.

Content Sourced from The American Story, The Beginnings.  By: David Barton and Tim Barton