Overview
This lecture covers the settlement of Plymouth Colony, focusing on the Pilgrims' origins, their challenges, relationships with the Wampanoag, and the realities behind the first Thanksgiving.
The Pilgrims and Puritanism
- "Pilgrims" refers to Puritans, a separatist Protestant group who wanted to purify the Church of England.
- Puritans faced persecution in England and initially moved to Holland for religious freedom.
- Challenges in Holland included financial issues, lack of Dutch converts, cultural differences, and fear of losing English identity.
- Puritans valued high literacy and a strong work ethic, discouraging leisure activities.
- Seeking a new community, they secured funds from English investors to travel to America.
The Voyage and Settlement
- The Mayflower set sail in September 1620, carrying about 100 people, including non-Puritan "strangers."
- A storm diverted them to Cape Cod instead of New York; they settled in Plymouth due to low supplies.
- William Bradford was elected governor; initial housing was on the ship due to lack of time and harsh winter.
- Since outside of Virginia’s jurisdiction, settlers drafted the Mayflower Compact to establish self-governance.
- The first winter was deadly; only 47 of the original 100 settlers survived, aided by stored Native American corn.
Interactions with the Wampanoag
- The Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, lived in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
- The population was weakened by smallpox, likely spread through earlier European contact.
- Initial contact came via Samoset, an English-speaking Native American, followed by Squanto, the last Patuxet survivor.
- Squanto, previously enslaved in Europe, served as interpreter and taught essential survival skills.
The First Thanksgiving and Aftermath
- The "first Thanksgiving" celebrated a successful harvest and peace between colonists and the Wampanoag.
- The event lasted three days, included 90 Wampanoag and 57 colonists, and venison was the main meat, not turkey.
- The positive relationship depended on mutual aid: Native Americans provided survival knowledge, colonists offered protection from rivals.
- The peace established by Massasoit lasted 40 years and allowed for the colony’s success.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Pilgrims — English Puritans who settled Plymouth Colony seeking religious freedom.
- Puritan — A Protestant group aiming to "purify" the Church of England.
- Mayflower Compact — The agreement establishing self-governance for the Plymouth settlers.
- Wampanoag — Indigenous people of southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
- Sachem — The chief leader of a Native American tribe.
- Squanto (Tisquantum) — Patuxet Native who aided the Pilgrims as interpreter and survival guide.
- First Thanksgiving — A three-day harvest celebration between colonists and Wampanoag in 1621.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Plymouth Colony’s founding and key figures for the next class.
- Prepare to discuss the transition from peace to later conflicts in future lectures.