The continued settlement of the New World seemingly brung an array of territorial wars and fuels between the Puritans and the Pequots. Upon reading the different articles it seems as if the Pequots were consistently targeted from an offensive standpoint when certain demands or “requests” were not met and that the shape of American values and morals are simply derived from the Puritans. The different viewpoints of authors Steven Katz and Alfred Cave could not be more far apart with each author having a strong belief as to who was at fault. Steven Katz had the opinion that not only did the Pequots act in aggression but that was the cause for the Pilgrims and settlers to defend themselves. Alfred Cave’s theory is the most thought out and has more accounts of the actual war or what was taking place at that time. Alfred Cave presented the theory of the Puritans acting as the aggressors as a way to keep the Pequots Indians in an inferior position. The need to keep them in this position was based off of the fear that the Pequots were satanic and posed a threat to the expansion of their settlement and spread of religious values. After reading all articles it seems as if the need to own a portion of land and feel acceptance, inclusion and a portion of religious control was a strong basis for not only the Pequot War but the genocide of many Natives.
The aggression that was constantly mentioned by Steven Kentz was more so present amongst the Natives themselves. The aggression was from a need to have control over certain tribes and obtain leadership, which is shown with Squanto and his need to try and overthrow the leadership of Massasoit by becoming an interpreter for the Pilgrims. Another instance is when the Narragansettes joined forces with the English to help overturn any type of control that the Pequots had. A constant battle over leadership was amongst the Natives when it was only deemed necessary for control over territory. But as stated in previous readings many Natives had their own territories that they controlled free of confrontation from other tribes due to topography. The constant teaching of Natives, the plantation of Indian corn, shows just how welcoming and accepting the Natives could be to those who did not pose a threat but only wanted to learn. But we should not get the term learning confused with the word entitled. Which is what the English settlers seemed to think they were when it came to adventuring to the New World.
As I read through the Digital History articles not only did religion standout yet again but so did the notion that the English took ownership of certain parts of the Americas. Alfred Cave’s argument that the Puritans acted out of pure aggression is supported by recounted statements and the apparent genocide that had taken place with the massacre of Pequot people including women and children. The land that was not only rightfully their land was being given and divided up amongst the English as if they were entitled to it. The Pequot were defending their land against those who were not only treated with hospitality but who were also trying to force their religion onto the Natives, even by translating scriptures into their native dialect. The judgement of thinking that the Pequot were savages and Satanic led to the aggression and offensive attacks. The English believed that by not attacking first it would make the Indians think that they were cowards as stated by Reverend Thomas Hooker. If I had to chose which argument I would agree with it would be that of Alfred Cave. Mr Cave gave statements and facts to cooperate his argument that the English were on an offensive rampage while Steven Kentz gave bias accounts of what occurred. By seemingly taking race out of the equation he tried to place blame on both parties not considering the blatant invasion and intrusion of someone’s home and native land.
Pequot War taking sides pdf
