Challenges and Alliances: The Pilgrims' Journey in the New World

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The Pilgrims encountered difficulties when they departed England for Leiden, Holland in order to practice their religion without hindrance. Following a period of time in Holland, they opted to create a colony in the New World to uphold both their religious beliefs and English culture.

The Pilgrims received financial support from the Merchant Adventurers, led by Thomas Weston, who supplied them with a ship and provisions for their settlement in the New World. In exchange, the investors anticipated returns from goods sent back to England by the Pilgrims (20).

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Captain Christopher Jones commanded The Mayflower on a 75-day voyage that transported a group of Pilgrims to Cape Cod (35).

Before departing the boat, the Pilgrims had to choose a location for their settlement. Three expeditions explored Cape Cod Bay before Plymouth was selected as the site. The Mayflower Compact, their first governmental document, was signed by each male before they left their boat dwellings for good. This compact established the rules of the colony and its leadership.

The Pilgrims wasted no time with their construction and quickly began building houses and roads. They also decided to establish a military for protection against the natives. During one of their militia meetings, the Pilgrims noticed an Indian watching them from afar. Upon approaching him, they realized he meant no harm and had the ability to communicate in English (92). The Indian's name was Samoset and he was a part of the Pakanoket Tribe. Through this encounter, the Pilgrims learned that the Pakanokets meant no harm to Plymouth and wanted to be friends.

A few days later, Massasoit, the sachem of the Pakanoket tribe, personally met with the Pilgrims. During this meeting, a six-point treaty was established to form an alliance between the colonists and the Indian tribe (97-99). The relationship between the Pilgrims and Indians progressed positively as both communities assisted each other. The settlers in Plymouth learned valuable skills such as farming corn and hunting native animals from the Indians. On the well-known day of Thanksgiving, the Pakanoket Indians and Pilgrims enjoyed a plentiful meal together to celebrate their friendship and mutual success in obtaining food (118-120).

In mid November, the English ship called the Fortune arrived at Cape Cod Bay with 37 new settlers thanks to the Merchant Adventurers (123-124). With the additional manpower, the Pilgrims began building a protective wall around their settlement in Plymouth (130). Meanwhile, an Indian named Squanto attempted to incite conflict between the colonists and the Pakanokets by seeking power from Massasoit. This caused strain in the relationship between the Indians and Pilgrims, leading to a lack of trust (132-136). Without the support of the Pakanoket tribe, Plymouth was left on its own. Governor Bradford governed with strict discipline and imposed his religious beliefs on all settlers, regardless of their own beliefs (140).

Months after the disagreement between the Pilgrims and Pakanokets, news came to Plymouth that Massasoit was gravely ill and not expected to survive. Showing respect, Edward Winslow and two other Pilgrims visited the Indian settlement to see the sachem. Upon arrival, they helped care for Massasoit, repairing the strained relationship with the Pakanokets (142-145). To show gratitude for saving his life, Massasoit warned them that Plymouth was at risk of attack by a northern Indian tribe (146). After returning to Plymouth, Winslow informed the others of the looming threat and decided the best course of action was to preemptively attack the tribe (149). Under the leadership of their military chief, Standish, the Pilgrims launched a successful assault on Wessagussett. This not only protected their colony from a brutal attack but also demonstrated to the entire region that Plymouth was a formidable and powerful colony not to be trifled with (151-155).

Over time, the Pilgrims' interactions with the Native Americans improved as trade between them flourished and a unique religion blending native beliefs and Christianity emerged (163). Additionally, their connections with neighboring colonies strengthened with the formation of the United Colonies by Edward Winslow, allowing settlements to communicate and assist each other (180-182). However, the Plymouth Colony faced financial difficulties due to mounting debt and the collapse of the Merchant Adventurers, placing the economic burden on Bradford and other investors (168). Furthermore, economic hardships worsened with a civil war in England prompting many colonists to return to their homeland (183).

After Sasamon's warning about an attack on Plymouth by King Philip, three Pakanoket Indians were convicted and executed for his murder. This led to a war between the Pilgrims and Indians, resulting in widespread destruction and numerous casualties. The conflict eventually ended when a group of natives and Pilgrims united to assassinate King Philip.

After the conclusion of King Philip's War, the colonists initiated control over the Indigenous people. The enslavement of male Indians over the age of 14 commenced, with them being separated from their tribes and sold into servitude (345). This marked a new era where the Pilgrims held dominance over the natives, leaving them with limited opportunities and choices.