Mayflower: Question 11

During King Philip’s War, significant numbers of Native Americans sided with the English. How do you regard those who took up arms against their fellow natives? Do you see them as treacherous, opportunistic, or merely sensible? If you had been a native, which side would you have taken, and why?

The important thing to consider when evaluating the actions during King Philip's War is that, before this, New England had not seen a conflict on such a wide and far-reaching scale. Thus, practically all the Natives were in unfamiliar situations, so it is easy to forgive their decision to turn against their kin. In most cases, the number one priority was safety, and the English, who in most cases were equally desperate, made offers that the natives simply could not refuse. While eventually the Natives may have been opportunistic in attempting to take advantage of the situation (similar to Massasoit and Squanto viewing the arrival of the Mayflower as an opportunity to alter the balance of power), this was probably not the case when natives decided to take sides with the English. I think the Indians were being quite prudent, and I think most anyone in a situation as dire as theirs would act similarly. Calling the natives treacherous would be absurd, because, as previously stated, the Indians were not all united, and conflict arose between them all the time.

Obviously, this varied from tribe to tribe. Strong, powerful tribes, such as the Mohawks, could obviously afford to weigh various decisions, as the consequences were not life and death. However, leaders such as Awashonks, did not have such a luxury, and thus were easily swayed by the English. Had I been in the situation of the Indians, I probably would have taken the safe road, and allied with the English.