Massacre at Mystic: The Pequot War

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pequot_War#/media/File:Pequot_war.jpg

The Pequot Wars started with the death of one man and ended with making use of the word Pequot a crime. We often put the Puritans on a pedestal, due mainly to the pride many Americans have with being remotely descended from a passenger on the Mayflower as well as politicians constantly referring to them when they talk about our Judeo-Christian culture.

Essential Question: Is violence inevitable between indigenous peoples and colonists?

Engage:

•  Read Mending Wall by Robert Frost
• Good fences make good neighbors, but what if your neighbors don't believe in fences?

Explore:

•  Watch the video Massacre at Mystic 
• Vocabulary: wampum, concessions, subjugated, diplomatic

Explain:

•  What was the relationship between the Pequot and Puritans before the massacre? After?
• What differences in ideas about land and property caused so much trouble?
• Why did some Native Americans fight with the Puritans against the Pequots?
• How much responsibility do you place on the Puritans actions leading to the massacre?
• How did the massacre change the colonies going forward?

Evaluate:

•  Class Discussion questions during the watching. 

 Extend:

• Read p. 118 of Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewn
• Read about the Pequot War