Massasoit Leadership Dilemmas & Opportunities By: Phillip E. Chevalier

MassasoitMassasoitLeadership Dilemmas & Leadership Dilemmas & OpportunitiesOpportunities

By: Phillip E. ChevalierBy: Phillip E. Chevalier

Something to Ponder…Something to Ponder…

Does man make the times or do times make Does man make the times or do times make the man?the man?

MassasoitMassasoit

Very little is known personally of Massasoit Very little is known personally of Massasoit except that he was strong and vigorous except that he was strong and vigorous physically, his countenance grave, and a man physically, his countenance grave, and a man of few words when speaking with the English. of few words when speaking with the English.

Massasoit’s LifeMassasoit’s Life

Massasoit was the principal leader of the Massasoit was the principal leader of the Wampanoag people in the early 1600’s who Wampanoag people in the early 1600’s who encouraged friendship with English settlers. His encouraged friendship with English settlers. His name means Great Sachem. name means Great Sachem.

He was commonly known as Massasoit, but was He was commonly known as Massasoit, but was called by many other names, including: called by many other names, including: Ousamequin, Woosamequin, Asuhmequin, Ousamequin, Woosamequin, Asuhmequin, Oosamequen, Osamekin, Owsamequin, Oosamequen, Osamekin, Owsamequin, Owsamequine, Ussamequen, and Yellow Feather. Owsamequine, Ussamequen, and Yellow Feather.


Massasoit held the allegiance of seven lesser Massasoit held the allegiance of seven lesser Wampanoag Sachems and reigned over a number Wampanoag Sachems and reigned over a number of Indian or Native American groups that of Indian or Native American groups that occupied lands from Narragansett Bay Rhode occupied lands from Narragansett Bay Rhode Island to Cape Cod in present-day Massachusetts.Island to Cape Cod in present-day Massachusetts.

Massasoit visited Plymouth in 1621 and Massasoit visited Plymouth in 1621 and negotiated a treaty guaranteeing the English their negotiated a treaty guaranteeing the English their security in exchange for their alliance against the security in exchange for their alliance against the Narragansett. Narragansett.


Massasoit is credited in preventing the failure of Massasoit is credited in preventing the failure of Plymouth Colony and the almost certain death by Plymouth Colony and the almost certain death by starvation of the English colonists. starvation of the English colonists.

Forged critical, political and personal ties with Forged critical, political and personal ties with colonial leaders John Carver, Stephen Hopkins, colonial leaders John Carver, Stephen Hopkins, Edward Winslow, William Bradford, and Myles Edward Winslow, William Bradford, and Myles Standish, which culminated in a negotiated peace Standish, which culminated in a negotiated peace treaty on March 22, 1621. treaty on March 22, 1621.


Massasoit's alliance with the English ensured that Massasoit's alliance with the English ensured that the Wampanoag remained neutral during the the Wampanoag remained neutral during the PequotPequot War in 1636.War in 1636.

Under Massasoit’s leadership, the peace treaty Under Massasoit’s leadership, the peace treaty lasted 40 years until his death around 1662. lasted 40 years until his death around 1662.

Relationships between the two groups grew Relationships between the two groups grew increasingly worse culminating in King Phillip’s increasingly worse culminating in King Phillip’s War fourteen years later after his death.War fourteen years later after his death.

QuestionQuestion

What was happening to the native people in What was happening to the native people in the New World prior to the English settlement the New World prior to the English settlement in New England?in New England?

DilemmasDilemmas

Kidnappings and other violence took place Kidnappings and other violence took place between the sea captains and fishermen between the sea captains and fishermen touching the New England shore and the touching the New England shore and the Indians before the English arrived. Massasoit Indians before the English arrived. Massasoit must have viewed the English Colonists’ must have viewed the English Colonists’ motives with grave suspicion.motives with grave suspicion.

DilemmasDilemmas

Europeans unknowinglyEuropeans unknowinglyintroduced diseasesintroduced diseasessuch as smallpox, typhus andsuch as smallpox, typhus andmeasles. Lacking immunitymeasles. Lacking immunityto these new maladies,to these new maladies,whole villages werewhole villages weredestroyed as epidemics weredestroyed as epidemics weresweeping up and down thesweeping up and down thecoastline.coastline.

http://www.canadianmysteries.ca/sites/klatsassin/images/site/1793_2.jpg

DilemmasDilemmas

Many Indians, even those who had not yet Many Indians, even those who had not yet seen white men, considered them to be both seen white men, considered them to be both ruthless and bearers of deadly illnesses. Indian ruthless and bearers of deadly illnesses. Indian societies were in turmoil at the colonists’ societies were in turmoil at the colonists’ arrival. arrival.

DilemmasDilemmas

The Wampanoag were devastated since two The Wampanoag were devastated since two significant outbreaks of smallpox occurred significant outbreaks of smallpox occurred during the previous six years prior to the during the previous six years prior to the English settlement. English settlement.

OpportunitiesOpportunities

Massasoit first appeared with Massasoit first appeared with 60 warriors, his face painted 60 warriors, his face painted red and wearing a thick red and wearing a thick necklace of white beads, necklace of white beads, signifying his great authority, signifying his great authority, on a hill overlooking the on a hill overlooking the Plymouth. This was his first Plymouth. This was his first attempt in trying to strike fear attempt in trying to strike fear into the hearts of the English into the hearts of the English colony huddled below. colony huddled below. http://www.hypatia.se/indian/personer/

bilder/massasoit.jpg


When Massasoit and his 60 warriors stood on the hilltop When Massasoit and his 60 warriors stood on the hilltop fearsomely looking down on Plymouth, the few colonists fearsomely looking down on Plymouth, the few colonists left scrambled for their guns. They slowly realized they left scrambled for their guns. They slowly realized they were confronting not enemies capable of killing off the were confronting not enemies capable of killing off the remainder of the weakened settlers, but friendly human remainder of the weakened settlers, but friendly human beings who would give them food in exchange for beings who would give them food in exchange for English goods. English goods.

They also viewed Massasoit as a Godsend sent by divine They also viewed Massasoit as a Godsend sent by divine providence, and would help protect them against providence, and would help protect them against murderous tribes.murderous tribes.

DilemmasDilemmas

Massasoit perceived that receptivity was a Massasoit perceived that receptivity was a slippery slope. Massasoit would never accept slippery slope. Massasoit would never accept the English ways or their religion. Soon after the English ways or their religion. Soon after the Pilgrims arrived, the local tribes organized the Pilgrims arrived, the local tribes organized a three-day religious ritual that attempted to a three-day religious ritual that attempted to exorcise the Pilgrims from Massachusetts exorcise the Pilgrims from Massachusetts altogether. altogether.

DilemmasDilemmas Massasoit was in a threatened state. Disease had Massasoit was in a threatened state. Disease had

recently swept through the tribe, ravaging his people recently swept through the tribe, ravaging his people and greatly diminishing their numbers.and greatly diminishing their numbers.

He had enemies eager to take advantage of the sharp He had enemies eager to take advantage of the sharp reduction in the number of his warriors. The powerful reduction in the number of his warriors. The powerful Narragansett tribe were eager to slaughter both Narragansett tribe were eager to slaughter both Massasoit and the Wampanoags. Massasoit and the Wampanoags.

To the east, the English, were rumored to have valuable To the east, the English, were rumored to have valuable trade goods and strange, new, fire-breathing weapons. trade goods and strange, new, fire-breathing weapons. Caught in the middle between his traditional enemies to Caught in the middle between his traditional enemies to the west and the English on the coast to the east, the west and the English on the coast to the east, Massasoit may had very little choice than to throw in Massasoit may had very little choice than to throw in his lot with the potentially helpful newcomers. his lot with the potentially helpful newcomers.


According to English sources, Massasoit According to English sources, Massasoit prevented the failure of Plymouth Colony and prevented the failure of Plymouth Colony and the almost certain starvation that the Pilgrims the almost certain starvation that the Pilgrims faced during the earliest years of the colony's faced during the earliest years of the colony's establishment, by providing food for the establishment, by providing food for the settlers and teaching them how to survive in settlers and teaching them how to survive in the new world. the new world.


Massasoit forged critical Massasoit forged critical political and personal ties with political and personal ties with the colonial leaders John the colonial leaders John Carver, Stephen Hopkins, Carver, Stephen Hopkins, Edward Winslow, William Edward Winslow, William Bradford, and Miles Standish– Bradford, and Miles Standish– ties which culminated in a ties which culminated in a negotiated peace treaty on negotiated peace treaty on March 22, 1621. March 22, 1621.

http://www.etsu.edu/cas/history/resources/Private/Faculty/Fac_To1877ChapterDocFiles/ChapterImages/Ch3massasoit.jpg


These traditional political These traditional political relationships shaped Indian relationships shaped Indian understanding of English understanding of English political systems and of the political systems and of the agreements made between agreements made between them. The first treaty them. The first treaty between Indians and English between Indians and English occurred in March 1621, occurred in March 1621, when Massasoit, made a when Massasoit, made a “League of Peace" with John “League of Peace" with John Carver, the Governor of Carver, the Governor of Plymouth Colony. Plymouth Colony.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/revolutionary-war/pilgrims/governor-john-carver.jpg


This initial treaty addressed Massasoit as This initial treaty addressed Massasoit as “friend” and “ally” of King James, never “friend” and “ally” of King James, never mentioning the word “subject” at all. This was mentioning the word “subject” at all. This was believed to be a clear signal to the Indians that believed to be a clear signal to the Indians that they would enjoy an “alliance of equals” with they would enjoy an “alliance of equals” with the English.the English.


The stipulations of the original treaty implied The stipulations of the original treaty implied reciprocity, or equality, despite some noted reciprocity, or equality, despite some noted exceptions, such as the clause that demanded exceptions, such as the clause that demanded that Indians deliver any offender against the that Indians deliver any offender against the English to English justice but that lacked a English to English justice but that lacked a reciprocal clause delivering offenders against reciprocal clause delivering offenders against the Indians to Indian justice. the Indians to Indian justice.


Historical records makes it clear that Historical records makes it clear that Massasoit assumed reciprocity applied to Massasoit assumed reciprocity applied to every aspect of the treaty, stated or not. He every aspect of the treaty, stated or not. He believed deeply in the spirit of the treaty, into believed deeply in the spirit of the treaty, into which reciprocity seemed interwoven, versus which reciprocity seemed interwoven, versus letter of the treaty, exactly as it was written.letter of the treaty, exactly as it was written.

Dilemma & OpportunityDilemma & Opportunity

When Massasoit believed that Squanto had When Massasoit believed that Squanto had betrayed him, he demanded Squanto be turned betrayed him, he demanded Squanto be turned over to the Wampanoag. When Plymouth's over to the Wampanoag. When Plymouth's governor resisted, Massasoit protested governor resisted, Massasoit protested vehemently, “demanding him ... as being one vehemently, “demanding him ... as being one of his subjects, whom, by our first Articles of of his subjects, whom, by our first Articles of Peace, we could not retain.”Peace, we could not retain.”


Within a year of the first agreement, the word Within a year of the first agreement, the word "subject" began to appear in interactions between "subject" began to appear in interactions between the two peoples. Massasoit acknowledged himself the two peoples. Massasoit acknowledged himself content to become the subject of King James. By content to become the subject of King James. By September 1621, at least nine other Wampanoag and September 1621, at least nine other Wampanoag and Massachusetts Sachems had signed their names to Massachusetts Sachems had signed their names to an agreement also acknowledging themselves “to be an agreement also acknowledging themselves “to be the Loyal Subjects of King James.” There is good the Loyal Subjects of King James.” There is good evidence to believe that Massasoit and these other evidence to believe that Massasoit and these other sachems understood and accepted this relationship. sachems understood and accepted this relationship.

Opportunities & DilemmasOpportunities & Dilemmas

While their acceptance of this subject status While their acceptance of this subject status might imply that these Indians also allowed might imply that these Indians also allowed the local English to have power over them, the local English to have power over them, some Indians did not seem to think so. Rather, some Indians did not seem to think so. Rather, they seem to have believed that being subjects they seem to have believed that being subjects of the king made them the equals of the local of the king made them the equals of the local English, who were also royal subjects. English, who were also royal subjects.

QuotationQuotation

““Give no more wampum to the English, for Give no more wampum to the English, for they are no Sachems, nor none of their they are no Sachems, nor none of their children shall be in their place if they die; and children shall be in their place if they die; and they have no tribute given them; there is but they have no tribute given them; there is but one king in England, who is over them all.”one king in England, who is over them all.”

Sachem MiantonomiSachem Miantonomi


History records in late 1621, Massasoit History records in late 1621, Massasoit declared that he was declared that he was “King James, his man,”“King James, his man,” and that his land was and that his land was “King James his “King James his country.”country.”


Massasoit feared the religious conversion of Massasoit feared the religious conversion of his people so much that he tried to insert a his people so much that he tried to insert a clause in the peace treaty with the Plymouth clause in the peace treaty with the Plymouth settlers forbidding the colonists from even settlers forbidding the colonists from even attempting it. attempting it.

DilemmasDilemmas

Maintaining the delicate balance of commanding Maintaining the delicate balance of commanding his own people with their desire to expel the his own people with their desire to expel the English and using immeasurable restraint when English and using immeasurable restraint when many violations of the treaty, that he signed with many violations of the treaty, that he signed with Governor Carver of the Plymouth Colony, and the Governor Carver of the Plymouth Colony, and the aggressions against the natives in violation of the aggressions against the natives in violation of the spirit of the treaty, if not the letter of the treaty. spirit of the treaty, if not the letter of the treaty. These gross violations continued throughout These gross violations continued throughout Massasoit’s lifetime, but he still used restraint to Massasoit’s lifetime, but he still used restraint to avoid the decimation of his people. avoid the decimation of his people.

DilemmasDilemmas

Massasoit knew that the Wampanoag choice Massasoit knew that the Wampanoag choice was between hostility towards the English was between hostility towards the English dominion or assimilation within it.dominion or assimilation within it.

DilemmasDilemmas

There was bound to be a conflict between European There was bound to be a conflict between European and Indian methods of living. The two could not co-and Indian methods of living. The two could not co-exist on the same soil. The two races could not live exist on the same soil. The two races could not live side by side for very long, except by one of them side by side for very long, except by one of them conforming to the mode of life of the other. conforming to the mode of life of the other. According to the Colonists, it was inevitable that the According to the Colonists, it was inevitable that the country must be either all savage or all civilized; but country must be either all savage or all civilized; but there was no danger to European ideals and there was no danger to European ideals and civilization in trying the experiment of “leavening the civilization in trying the experiment of “leavening the whole lump,” to borrow from a Christian phrase.whole lump,” to borrow from a Christian phrase.

Something to PonderSomething to Ponder

Given the problems and despite some earnest Given the problems and despite some earnest efforts at good will, the situation became efforts at good will, the situation became inevitably worse.inevitably worse.

DilemmasDilemmas

New colonists arrived starting other settlements. New colonists arrived starting other settlements. These colonists were land poor in Europe and cared These colonists were land poor in Europe and cared less about nurturing the old treaty and alliance made less about nurturing the old treaty and alliance made with the Wampanoag. with the Wampanoag.

What these new settlers wanted was land of their What these new settlers wanted was land of their own; land that seemed theirs for the taking. They own; land that seemed theirs for the taking. They viewed the Indians as an obstacle that needed to be viewed the Indians as an obstacle that needed to be removed for them in order to fulfill their land dreams.removed for them in order to fulfill their land dreams.

DilemmasDilemmas

Further complicating the situation was the Further complicating the situation was the diversity of the settlers and the consequent diversity of the settlers and the consequent rivalry among them. Originally conceived as a rivalry among them. Originally conceived as a religious community with centralized religious community with centralized government and a consistent authority, government and a consistent authority, Plymouth was soon home to English with a Plymouth was soon home to English with a variety of conflicting notions of what is sacred. variety of conflicting notions of what is sacred. This created turmoil in the colony and made it This created turmoil in the colony and made it impossible to keep a consistent and humane impossible to keep a consistent and humane policy towards the Indians. Conflict was all policy towards the Indians. Conflict was all but inevitable.but inevitable.

DilemmasDilemmas

Massasoit experienced how the colonists treated Massasoit experienced how the colonists treated the Indians as a subject race, to whom they owed the Indians as a subject race, to whom they owed no duty. He understood the Colonists’ motives no duty. He understood the Colonists’ motives as they felt the Indians were in their way from as they felt the Indians were in their way from fulfilling their plan to take over all the land, and fulfilling their plan to take over all the land, and whom were at liberty to provoke and annoy in whom were at liberty to provoke and annoy in every conceivable manner. Massasoit knew that every conceivable manner. Massasoit knew that the Colonists used this as an excuse to go to war the Colonists used this as an excuse to go to war and exterminate the Indians, which may have and exterminate the Indians, which may have been the reason for using restraint.been the reason for using restraint.

QuestionQuestion

Can giving up your land create a lasting Can giving up your land create a lasting peace? Can you make any connections to peace? Can you make any connections to today’s world?today’s world?


For nearly forty years, the Wampanoag and the For nearly forty years, the Wampanoag and the English of Massachusetts Bay Colony English of Massachusetts Bay Colony maintained an increasingly uneasy peace until maintained an increasingly uneasy peace until Massasoit's death. Throughout this time, and Massasoit's death. Throughout this time, and in order to maintain the peace, Massasoit sold in order to maintain the peace, Massasoit sold lands which the English insisted on having.lands which the English insisted on having.

QuotationQuotation

"What is this thing you call property?" he "What is this thing you call property?" he declared. "It cannot be the earth. For the earth declared. "It cannot be the earth. For the earth is our mother, nourishing all her children, is our mother, nourishing all her children, bears, birds, fish and all men. The woods, the bears, birds, fish and all men. The woods, the streams, everything on it belongs to everybody streams, everything on it belongs to everybody and is for the use of all. How can one man say and is for the use of all. How can one man say it belongs to him only?"it belongs to him only?" MassasoitMassasoit


Over the decades, the two groups exchanged amiable Over the decades, the two groups exchanged amiable visits.visits.

When Massasoit took ill, Plymouth sent emissaries on When Massasoit took ill, Plymouth sent emissaries on the two-day trek through the forest to Pokanoket to the two-day trek through the forest to Pokanoket to help cure their ally.help cure their ally.

After his recovery, Massasoit now saw that After his recovery, Massasoit now saw that "the "the English are my friends and love me."English are my friends and love me." Moreover, Moreover, Massasoit felt duty-bound to observe that Massasoit felt duty-bound to observe that "whilst I live "whilst I live I will never forget this kindness they have showed me."I will never forget this kindness they have showed me."


On several occasions, Massasoit or his fellow On several occasions, Massasoit or his fellow Wampanoags probably saved the colonists Wampanoags probably saved the colonists from slaughter by warning them of mischief from slaughter by warning them of mischief brewing in warring tribes. brewing in warring tribes.


When Roger Williams, a renegade religious When Roger Williams, a renegade religious thinker forced out of the rigid theocracy of the thinker forced out of the rigid theocracy of the English towns, appeared cold and starving at English towns, appeared cold and starving at Massasoit's door, the chief took the desperate Massasoit's door, the chief took the desperate man in and made him welcome.man in and made him welcome.

Dilemmas & OpportunitiesDilemmas & Opportunities

Facing a changing way of life and losing land Facing a changing way of life and losing land to the new colonists created great turmoil to the new colonists created great turmoil within Massasoit, yet he kept mending within Massasoit, yet he kept mending relations with the English and thereby relations with the English and thereby validating the fact that he was indeed a man validating the fact that he was indeed a man devoted to pursuing peace at all costs.devoted to pursuing peace at all costs.

QuestionQuestion

Did Massasoit sell the Wampanoag birthright Did Massasoit sell the Wampanoag birthright by aligning himself with the English?by aligning himself with the English?

Massasoit’s LegacyMassasoit’s Legacy• Massasoit's wisdom in seeking to establish friendly Massasoit's wisdom in seeking to establish friendly

relations with the English and his desire to pave the way for relations with the English and his desire to pave the way for the two races to live side by side in peace and harmony, the two races to live side by side in peace and harmony, demonstrated that he understood civility in a much broader demonstrated that he understood civility in a much broader sense than his English counterparts. sense than his English counterparts.

• Massasoit understood the difference between the spirit of a Massasoit understood the difference between the spirit of a treaty versus the letter of it. treaty versus the letter of it.

• For forty years after signing the treaty, he met all the For forty years after signing the treaty, he met all the obligations set forth in it. His judgment was true, yet the obligations set forth in it. His judgment was true, yet the Colonists never viewed the Indians as equals. As a result, Colonists never viewed the Indians as equals. As a result, the Wampanoag, who helped the first English colony in the Wampanoag, who helped the first English colony in New England to survive, was all but wiped out as a result of New England to survive, was all but wiped out as a result of their determination to forge peace at all costs.their determination to forge peace at all costs.

SummarySummaryDilemmas OpportunitiesDilemmas Opportunities

2 Outbreaks of disease2 Outbreaks of disease

devastated the Wampanoag.devastated the Wampanoag. Belief in reciprocity and the Belief in reciprocity and the

spirit vs. letter of the treatyspirit vs. letter of the treaty

made him subject to made him subject to English.English.

The powerful NarragansettThe powerful Narragansett

and the English weapons.and the English weapons. Becoming a subject of King Becoming a subject of King

James in the second treaty.James in the second treaty.

Prevented starvation and Prevented starvation and

failure of the first colony.failure of the first colony. Forged personal and Forged personal and

political ties with prominent political ties with prominent English leaders.English leaders.

Initial treaty referred to asInitial treaty referred to as

friend & ally, not subject. friend & ally, not subject. Continuously pursued peace Continuously pursued peace

and was always trying to and was always trying to make amends. make amends.

SummarySummaryDilemmas OpportunitiesDilemmas Opportunities

Taking & Selling of Taking & Selling of the land.the land.

Not being viewed as Not being viewed as equals in the eyes of equals in the eyes of the English – new the English – new colonists.colonists.

Hostility or Hostility or assimilation with the assimilation with the English.English.

Had a much deeper Had a much deeper view of what civilized view of what civilized meant than the meant than the English.English.

Saved Roger Saved Roger Williams from an Williams from an uncertain fate.uncertain fate.

Viewed English as Viewed English as his friends after he his friends after he made a fully made a fully recovery.recovery.

Brought food to the Brought food to the colonists and taught colonists and taught them how to live in them how to live in their new their new environment.environment.

Works CitedWorks Cited "Comparing Plymouth and Jamestown." "Comparing Plymouth and Jamestown." Welcome to SAIL1620Welcome to SAIL1620. Web. 21 July 2009.. Web. 21 July 2009.

<http://www.sail1620.org/history/articles/122-plymouth-jamestown.html>.<http://www.sail1620.org/history/articles/122-plymouth-jamestown.html>.

"Jenny Hale Pulsipher | "Subjects ... unto the same king": New England Indians and the Use "Jenny Hale Pulsipher | "Subjects ... unto the same king": New England Indians and the Use of Royal Political Power | The Massachusetts Historical Review, 5 |." of Royal Political Power | The Massachusetts Historical Review, 5 |." The The History CooperativeHistory Cooperative. Web. 18 July 2009. . Web. 18 July 2009.

<http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/mhr/5/pulsipher.html>.<http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/mhr/5/pulsipher.html>.

"Massasoit: Biography from Answers.com." "Massasoit: Biography from Answers.com." Answers.com - Online Dictionary, Answers.com - Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and much moreEncyclopedia and much more. Web. 18 July 2009. . Web. 18 July 2009. <http://www.answers.com/topic/massasoit>.<http://www.answers.com/topic/massasoit>.

"Powell's Books - Review-a-Day - Gods of War, Gods of Peace: How the Meeting of "Powell's Books - Review-a-Day - Gods of War, Gods of Peace: How the Meeting of Native Native and Colonial Religions Shaped Early America by Russell Bourne, reviewed by and Colonial Religions Shaped Early America by Russell Bourne, reviewed by

Salon.com." Salon.com." Powell's Books - Used, New, and Out of Print - We Buy and Powell's Books - Used, New, and Out of Print - We Buy and SellSell. . Web. Web. 20 July 2009. 20 July 2009.

<http://www.powells.com/review/2002_12_27.html>.<http://www.powells.com/review/2002_12_27.html>.

"Teach and Learn | We Shall Remain | American Experience |." "Teach and Learn | We Shall Remain | American Experience |." PBSPBS. Web. 22 July 2009. . Web. 22 July 2009.

<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/beyond_broadcast/post_view_1>.<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/beyond_broadcast/post_view_1>.

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Massasoit Leadership Dilemmas & Opportunities By: Phillip E. Chevalier