The Pilgrims were excited to start their new Plymouth colony, but they had a problem. They didn't know much about the land they had arrived in. They didn't know how to find food, build houses, or survive in this new place.
Luckily, they had some help from a group of people who had been living in America for a very long time. These people were native to the Americas. They were called Wampanoag. They had their own communities and had been living off the land for thousands of years.
The Pilgrims didn't know if the Wampanoag would be friendly or not. They had heard stories of Native Americans, and they were worried about how they would be received.
The Wampanoag had enountered big ships before, so they were a little wary of the newcomers. But they displayed kindness and chose to help them.
One of the Wampanoag who played a big role in helping the Pilgrims was a man named Squanto. He had been kidnapped and taken to England in the past, but he had managed to return to his homeland. Squanto could speak English, which was very helpful for the Pilgrims because they could communicate with him. (See Suggested Reading below to learn more about Squanto.)
Squanto taught the Pilgrims many important things, like how to grow corn, how to catch fish, and where to find edible plants. He also helped them build homes and showed them how to survive in the new land.
In November 1621, after a year of hard work, the Pilgrims had their first successful corn harvest. They were so grateful for their bountiful harvest that they decided to have a big feast to give thanks.
The Pilgrims invited Squanto and the Wampanoags to join them in this feast as thanks for their help. The guests also brought some of their own food to share. Together, they had a big celebration, with lots of delicious food, games, and music. It was a time of friendship and gratitude for the help they had received. This feast is now known as the First Thanksgiving.
IIRC, half of the Pilgrims died that first Winter. Most living in tight spaces on the Mayflower spreading disease. Plus they didn't understand about Vitamin C & D and Scurvy. The Native Americans would make up a pine tree tea in order to get those vitamins in the Winter.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
And vice versa, advance parties of English and Portuguese fishermen dried their catches on shore or iced them, coming into contact with Native Americans, they introduced Smallpox to a population that had never known it. Most of the coastal tribes took 90% casualties from the virus.
Made it much easier for the English to establish colonies. Without Smallpox, Jamestown and Plymouth would have most likely disappeared like the lost colony of Roanoke. Wiped out by unfriendly Natives.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
Let us be clear, the military of the day, gave INFECTED BLANKETS infected with smallpox to the American Indians....(as a "gift')... they also did a wide spread slaughter of bison to wipeout their food supply and clothing making......Look up "trail of tears", the white man's solution to "deportation".........WE R THE SAVAGES.
p.s...... happy Thanksgiving:
Last edit: 23 Nov 2024 17:03 by homeagain. Reason: ADD
Smallpox came from Europe much earlier than the soldiers blankets story we were raised on. Smallpox was wiping out coastal tribes decades before soldiers were ever deployed to the New World.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
homeagain wrote: Let us be clear, the military of the day, gave INFECTED BLANKETS infected with smallpox to the American Indians....(as a "gift')... they also did a wide spread slaughter of bison to wipeout their food supply and clothing making......Look up "trail of tears", the white man's solution to "deportation".........WE R THE SAVAGES.
p.s...... happy Thanksgiving:
When you have decided to fight a "total" war, probably best to be very,very, certain you will succeed. Otherwise, like the Indian tribes and the Germans, you will find yourself suffering greatly when your enemy fights a "total war" against you too.
homeagain wrote: Let us be clear, the military of the day, gave INFECTED BLANKETS infected with smallpox to the American Indians....(as a "gift')... they also did a wide spread slaughter of bison to wipeout their food supply and clothing making......Look up "trail of tears", the white man's solution to "deportation".........WE R THE SAVAGES.
p.s...... happy Thanksgiving:
When you have decided to fight a "total" war, probably best to be very,very, certain you will succeed. Otherwise, like the Indian tribes and the Germans, you will find yourself suffering greatly when your enemy fights a "total war" against you too.
FIND 500 NATIONS by Kevin Costner...then \come back to me and we will discuss "total war"....THERE WERE 500 INDIGENOUS ENTITIES when "we" stepped onto the shores of NORTH AMERICA......yes, u read that number correct.....500
Post Script .....THINK on Thanksgiving. of the TRUE tale.