Native American Resistance

King Philip’s War Metacomet was also known as King Philip. King Philip’s father, Massasoit, was a Native American chief who had initially helped the Pilgrims adjust to America. However, King Philip now wanted to retaliate against the encroaching Europeans King Philip’s War was successful at first because he was able to persuade many allies to join

Causes of King Philip’s War Edward Randolph’s account: 1) Massachusetts colonists wanted to convert the resistant Native Americans 2) Colonists wanted to make profit (ex: N.A. were expected to buy alcoholic drinks) 3) Colonists wanted land from Native Americans (especially Mount Hope) 4) Considered the N.A. to be barbaric a) Physical differences b) Considered cruel for hanging their enemies 6) Did not want to sell guns to Indians but MA decided to trade anyway King Philip’s account (as written by John Easton, attorney general of Rhode Island): 1) Liquor causes people to be lazy and ruin economy (influence them to make bad decisions) 2) English cattle and horses and ruined their corn (they let them roam) 3) Unfair judicial system (low possibility of winning if a Native American testified against an Englishman) 4) Expected reciprocity (they gave food to colonists, but did not receive kindness in return)

Purpose Unite against a common enemy. Involved Massachusetts Connecticut but not Rhode Island Democratic growth Indian Wars Pequot War, 1644 King Philip’s War, 1675 Confederation dissolves once wars end. Purpose Unite against a common enemy. Involved Massachusetts Connecticut but not Rhode Island Democratic growth Indian Wars Pequot War, 1644 King Philip’s War, 1675 Confederation dissolves once wars end. Not Rhode Island

The Pequot Wars

A Pequot Village Destroyed, 1637

Population of the New England Colonies

Massasoit’s son, Metacom (King Phillip) formed Indian alliance – attacked throughout New England, especially frontier English towns were attacked and burned - unknown numbers of Indians died 1676: War ended, Metacom executed, lasting defeat for Indians

Mary Rowlandson Woman who was captured during an attack on her town during King Philip’s War Transported by her Indian captors for some weeks around the New England countryside Wrote a detailed account of her daily life in captivity and it became a very popular book in its day

Cultural or social insights from her journal entries: Native Americans smoked tobacco Women were strong physically and mentally They did not waste their natural resources Had lots of jewelry (face paint) They had stockings (evidence of cultural immersion) Considered pagan (worshipped objects of nature) Did not like any other religions Treated Rowlandson with kindness (shared food) Persecution for unwillingness to join tribe Rowlandson admired the Native Americans R. felt that the Native Americans were never scared