The background of the Battle of King Philip

On September 6th, A.D. 1620/KLOC-0, 35 Puritan separatists, led by Pastor Blest, together with 53 artisans, fishermen, poor farmers and 14 indentured slaves, were 102 people. In order to seek religious freedom, they fled the oppressive rule of Britain. They boarded the famous "Mayflower" in Plymouth Harbor, England, and went to the North American continent that had already been discovered by Columbus. It was165438+1October 2 1. After nearly two months of sea turbulence, they finally arrived at Cape Cod, a small town in provine, Massachusetts, and landed at Plymouth Harbor in the United States on the first day after Thanksgiving.

It coincides with the winter in North America. The cold and snowy weather made these early immigrants desperate. Some people died of hunger and cold, which happened to be discovered by Indians who had already lived in the North American continent. Indian people are naturally hospitable, and naturally they will not turn away these guests from afar.

At this time, it happened to be two years after the Indians living on the east coast of North America were seriously attacked by the infectious disease smallpox. The violent attack of smallpox caused a large number of indigenous people to die, and the village was almost deserted. Indian chiefs (including the Indians who later launched King Philip's War, the chief of Wampanoag tribe, and Massei, the father of King Philip) are naturally willing to let these tourists from afar settle down in these abandoned villages and form friendly alliances with them.

As a result, Indian tribes gave generous assistance to these immigrants from Europe, sending them necessities and teaching them how to survive, such as hunting, fishing, planting corn and pumpkins. With the help of Indians, these immigrants from Europe finally got rid of the predicament and gradually got used to the local lifestyle.

The following year, the immigrants had a bumper harvest, held a turkey feast and drank a toast with the Indians. The feast lasted three days and nights. During this period, the two sides also reached a peaceful and friendly agreement: Indians welcomed them to build their own villages on one of the original Indian lands. This moment was originally the beginning of the gradual consolidation of friendship between the two sides, but unfortunately the friendly relationship did not last long. Because they don't need Indian assistance as before, some new immigrants gradually forget their initial difficulties and help; Coupled with the continuous influx of more new immigrants, the distrust between the two sides has gradually increased and there have been more and more frictions; Some new immigrants don't even tolerate the religious beliefs of Indians, trying to teach and convince Indians that their beliefs are incorrect.

In the 65438+60s, John, the Christian Imam of New England, had converted hundreds of Indians to Christianity. Several "prayer towns" were also established. However, when he delivered the gospel to Metacomet, the chief "Metacomet" (a famous figure who was later called "King Philip" by the British because of the anti-colonial expansion war) grabbed the coat of the Imam, tore off a button and held it in front of the Imam. Claiming that he is interested in Christianity is like this button-then he throws it on the ground.

Philippe's father, the old chief massasoit, had established friendly relations with colonial immigrants. He sold and resold a lot of land to new immigrants. However, the continuous influx of immigrants has no end to their thirst for land. The colonial government in New England used various methods to force the surrounding tribes to sell their land. However, the war disputes between Indian tribes made the chiefs need more guns and ammunition, so they had to exchange their land for fur and local products.

In A.D. 166 1 year, when the old chief "Meiseyi" died, the tribe was surrounded by colonies. When Indians go to town, they must abide by colonial laws. When an Indian is drunk in the street, he will be whipped or served for ten days. The harsh laws of the Puritan colonial government bound the Indians and made them feel bitter.

In A.D. 1662, Philip's younger brother Vamsuta (1634–1662) was accused of violating the previous land treaty signed with the colonial authorities and selling the land without authorization. Although he has the honor of a chief, he was escorted to Massachusetts for trial by josiah Winslow, the son of John winthrop, under the bayonet!

What is even more strange is that after the judge's arraignment, Chief Wansata suddenly fell ill in Winslow's home, and died in less than a week, and he was in office for less than two years. Philippe suspected that the colonial government had poisoned him. In this way, with resentment against the white colonists, Philippe inherited his brother's chieftain position.

Whether Chief Wansata was persecuted by colonial authorities or not, this incident is extremely hostile to the Wampanoag aborigines and a complete denial of their spiritual and political authority. Lost spiritual support? Without political authority, the subject of freedom is not a "subject". This cumulative threat is grateful to the aborigines for their great hostility to Puritan immigrants?