King Philip’s War

Katie BehiePeriod 6

PRE WAR HISTORY AND DIPLOMACY

Despite expansion of the colonists and disease brought by the new settlers such as measles and smallpox, Massasoit (father of King Philip) negotiated peace treaties with the colonies. These treaties were often one sided in the colonists favor and continued to allow expansion. Upon the death of Massasoit, Metacom (or King Philip) took control and was distrustful of the colonists. King Philip would seek the alliance of other Indian tribes to go against the interests of the English colonies.

Farming, fishing, fur trapping, huntingStayed on tribal landsTraded with colonistsRespect of Nature very important

EARLY LIFE

Farming, fishing, huntingStayed close to city or townTraded with friendly IndiansReligion very important

The early New England economy was based on a system of trade and barter.

EARLY ECONOMY

Metal coins were produced by the colonies, Indians would melt these for use in hunting.

Wampum was made by Native Americans from seashells, colonists would use on clothing as decorations.

EARLY GOVERNMENT AND LEADERSHIP

The colonial government was made up colonies under the leadership of governors. Native Americans formed tribes and were ruled by a chief.

Native American LeadersMetacom or King Philip; Chief of WampanoagCanonchet; Chief of NarragansettMuttawmp; Chief of Nipmuc

English Colony LeadersJosiah Winslow; Governor of Plymouth ColonyJohn Leveret; Governor of Massachusetts Bay ColonyJohn Winthrop, Jr.; Governor of Connecticut

Militias formed from each colony to fight the Indians. The English colonists also recruited Praying Indians, Mohegan Indians and Pequot Indians.

RELIGION AND PRAYING INDIANS

The settlers recruited Indians to convert to Christianity. Indians who followed the Christian religion were referred to as “Praying Indians”. One important cause of war was the death of praying Indian John Sassamon. He was a close friend to King Philip, but his conversion drove the two apart. Three of Philip’s advisors were tried and found guilty of his murder and sentenced to death. King Philip was outraged by this interference in Indian matters and attempted to speak directly with the English court, but his diplomatic attempt was turned aside.

THE START OF HOSTILITIES - 1675

Indians destroy town of Swansea

80 colonial militia killed at “Bloody Brook”

Providence RI, burned to the ground

Plymouth Colony attacked

60 militia killed at “Nine Men’s Misery”

Governor Winslow sent an envoy to King Philip in an attempt to negotiate a peace, Metacom refused and this attempt at diplomacy also failed. Unable to draw the Indians into open battle, the colonists needed to learn a style of warfare that would bring victory. “It appeared trees and rocks were shooting” said one soldier. As months passed, the militia learned this way of warfare and had success. This had historical importance because it changed the military doctrine the colonies had followed from classic open field battle to a guerilla style army.

WAR AND ATTEMPTED PEACE

A CHANGE IN FORTUNE

Over 1,250 Narragansett’s killed in the “Great Swamp Fight”

350 Indians killed at Turner’s Falls, Canonchet (Narragansett Chief) killed

1,000 Indians killed in Hadley & Springfield

THE END OF PHILIP

King Philip was shot and killed by John Alderman during a raiding party. He was beheaded, drawn and quartered.

King Philip’s head was placed on a wooden pole and marched back to Plymouth. The head was displayed in Plymouth for twenty years.

WARS END AND THE AFTERMATH

The war ended with the virtual extinction of Indian tribal life in New England. This had historical significance because Indians were pushed farther North and West allowing for rapid growth and unchecked expansion of the colonies.

EFFECTS OF KING PHILIPS WAR ON COLONISTS

Along with the disappearance of the fur trade, the economic burden placed on the colonists was extreme. The English Crown sent men to assess war damage and found 1,300 homes destroyed, 8,500 head of cattle lost, tons of foodstuffs destroyed with a total war cost over 150,000 pounds ($250,000 in US dollars). The colonists also formed stronger ties with England and allowed political control in the colonies. The British Army gave protection against Indians, French and the Spanish. Under British rule, Governors were appointed and home rule vanished. This historically important change in government would bring about the events which would lead up to the Revolutionary War. The colonists would again fight a war and struggle for freedom.

With a colonist population of 52,000, 900 lost their lives, this death rate was twice that of the Civil War. With an Indian population of 20,000, 4,000 were killed during this period a 20% loss of population.

KING PHILIP’S WAR EFFECTS ON INDIANS

With the Native Americans loss of the war this also meant a loss of independence. Many Indians were sold into slavery while many that remained were forced to be colonial servants. Native American tribes were forced to live on new Indian reservations. These reservations had historical importance because these were the first ever established lands just for Indians in our country. By placing Indians on reservation the colonies were able to keep in check their growth and interaction with settlers.

DEBATE AND DIPLOMACY FAILURE LEAD TO KING PHILIPS WAR

For over 50 years, debate and diplomacy was a success for Native Americans and English settlers. Peace Treaties were signed on a regular basis to allow both sides to live in peace. Massasoit and the pilgrims seemed to be ahead of their time. Mutual respect, open dialogue and working for a common goal was most important. The failure of debate and diplomacy by King Philip and the Governors was a direct cause of the war. Diplomacy between these two sides became difficult when a position of respect disappeared. The colonists viewed Native Americans as less than human and their dealings were less than honest. Native Americans viewed the colonists as having no morals or respect for nature. More open debate was needed between leaders to help show that they were both in search of a common good. As I look back, this failure of debate and diplomacy could have been avoided if both sides had just spoken more honestly and thought more about the potential consequences of their actions.