Overview
This lecture explores the causes, major events, and consequences of King Philip’s War, a violent conflict between Native Americans and English colonists that reshaped New England.
Early Relations and Rising Tensions
- Early 17th-century relations between colonists and Native Americans were generally peaceful, with alliances like the Wampanoag-Plymouth pact.
- The Great Migration in the 1630s brought thousands of English settlers, increasing pressure on land and resources.
- English expansion led to land encroachment and disrupted Native American ways of life.
- The Pequot War (1636) set a precedent for violent conflict with Native peoples.
- European livestock and farming methods disrupted native economies.
Escalation to War
- English legal and political systems disadvantaged Native Americans, often through manipulated or broken treaties.
- Missionaries aimed to convert Native Americans, causing division within tribes.
- English concepts of private land ownership conflicted with Native American communal land use.
- Native Americans became dependent on English goods, and trade disputes increased tensions.
- The death of Wampanoag leader Massasoit (1662) and rise of Metacom (King Philip) escalated resistance.
- In 1671, Metacom was forced to surrender firearms, deepening mistrust.
Outbreak and Major Battles
- The murder of John Sassamon in 1675 and execution of Wampanoags triggered war.
- On June 20, 1675, Wampanoags attacked Swansea, starting open conflict.
- Other tribes, like the Nipmuck and Narragansett, joined the fight against colonists.
- Key battles: Brookfield siege, Bloody Brook ambush, Connecticut River Valley raids, and the Great Swamp Fight (1675).
- Colonists used scorched earth tactics, destroying villages and supplies.
Climax and Aftermath
- In winter 1676, both sides suffered hardship, but Native Americans were more affected.
- Colonial forces, aided by some native allies, intensified counterattacks.
- Captain Turner’s attack at Turner Falls in May 1676 killed over 100 Native Americans.
- Starvation and loss led many Native Americans to surrender; many were enslaved or executed.
- Metacom was killed on August 12, 1676, ending organized native resistance.
- Sporadic conflict continued until the Treaty of Casco (1678).
Consequences and Legacy
- The war devastated both Native and colonial communities, causing heavy casualties and economic strain.
- Colonists came to see Native Americans as a constant threat.
- Native Americans lost land, autonomy, and many were killed, enslaved, or displaced.
- Colonial lands expanded, and many native lands were redistributed to English settlers.
Key Terms & Definitions
- King Philip’s War — Conflict (1675–1676) between Native Americans (led by Metacom) and English settlers in New England.
- Wampanoag — A Native American tribe central to early colonial relations and the war.
- Pequot War — An earlier (1636–1638) violent conflict between colonists and the Pequot tribe.
- Scorched Earth Tactics — Military strategy of destroying resources to weaken an enemy.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the timeline and key battles of King Philip’s War.
- Study the impact of the war on both Native American and colonial societies.