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“First Thanksgiving” came upon the foundation of a peace treaty created between the leader, or “sachem,” of the Wampanoag Indians, Massasoit and and John Carver, the first governor of the Plymouth Colony

The Pain and the Peace Leading to the 'First Thanksgiving'



The Pain and the Peace Leading to the 'First Thanksgiving'Even though it is historically viewed in the United States as the “First Thanksgiving,” in the New World it actually was neither. Prior “thanksgivings” had been celebrated before the one in 1621 between European and Indian in the Caribbean, or Tejas, or Virginia. Also, the event did not serve as a traditional Protestant ceremony of Thanksgiving. It was actually more of a harvest festival, so why is it so important in America’s history? It was just a big feast day, wasn’t it? For those willing to dig deeper to find the roots of this holiday, they will find incredible lessons that are relevant for the world we live in today.

History of the Thanksgiving holiday has been romanticized to almost mythic proportions

Unfortunately, the history of the Thanksgiving holiday has been romanticized to almost mythic proportions since the original event. And, as historical events fade into the past, the actual people and original events that occurred become distorted, and this is also true of the “First Thanksgiving” in Massachusetts Bay. Some of the education that may be portrayed as history in classrooms across the nation is simply an indoctrination into divisiveness and rehashed resentment that bypasses the reality of the events as were recorded by those who were present as eyewitnesses. Also, clever writers continue to try to peddle rubbish to the public in what is now a worn out narrative. Yet, there is an article that could be worth the time to read that appeared recently in Time magazine that examines the perspective of Thanksgiving from some descendants of the Wampanoag people who were the ones to initiate a peace treaty with the first governor of the Plymouth Colony. What peace treaty? The reality of a peace treaty is not brought up in the Time article and it is not taught in United States history courses. Neither is it taught by Christian historians or ministers. Christians have the tendency to focus on the first “true” Thanksgiving that took place in 1623. Besides, what does it matter in the midst of the mashed potatoes, turkey and pumpkin pie? The Time article makes more of a connection between the time of the Pilgrims’ arrival and the plague that wiped out the Wampanoag people just before the Mayflower arrived off the shores of New England as it was named. The Time author seemed enamored as well with the reality that Americans are suffering a plague now in the form of the COVID pandemic as the Indians suffered in their day.

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Skewed History

The history in the article is a bit skewed, but there was at least one major plague that swept through a majority of the American Indian tribes of the northeastern woodlands, but the devastation hit the Wampanoag very hard, with some estimates as high as 90% of their population being extinguished. It was a very pain-filled period with tremendous loss of life. Wampanoag tribes originally were thought to have stretched from what is now Maine to Rhode Island. The Time article reported a perspective of Hartman Deetz, a Mashpee Wampanoag artist, educator and activist that: “Being a Wampanoag person in this time of year, it’s always striking that we tell this story of the Pilgrims and the Indians, and yet the Wampanoag people are often times left out of this telling of this story.” It is likely a belief held more widely among the native peoples. And, the fact of the matter would be true. Often in recounting the “First Thanksgiving,” the celebration is viewed from the vantage point of the Pilgrims since their record is the only known written documentation of the festivities. Some vocal Wampanoag claim there is no documentation of the event. It is likely that those who would choose to deny the event, would also deny the peace treaty. The descendents quoted in the article do not mention a peace treaty. So, if by denying or simply not acknowledging a historical peace treaty, does it make it disappear? To be clear, in the current politically correct realms that permeate the society, some believe that denial is enough to make something not exist. Nevertheless, the failure to be aware of a peace treaty between the Wampanoag people with the Pilgrim people hinders and even restricts the the accuracy or clarity regarding the complete picture of this “First Thanksgiving,” Certainly, anyone who tells the story of the Pilgrims and the Indians and leaves out the peace treaty, it is extremely tragic. Catholics call that the sin of omission.

King Philip's War

It is indeed tragic that many Americans, possibly even some Wampanoag descendents, do not realize that the “First Thanksgiving” came upon the foundation of a peace treaty created between the leader, or “sachem,” of the Wampanoag Indians, Massasoit and and John Carver, the first governor of the Plymouth Colony on March 22, 1621. Even when Carver died about one month after the signing of the treaty, William Bradford kept honoring the treaty. Bradford, who was elected the Governor of the struggling colony in 1621, chose to honor the original treaty. And, that peace prevailed until Massasoit died in 1661 – a period of at least 40 years. And, peace did not actually break down until King Philip's War (also known as Metacomet’s rebellion) that began in 1675. Sadly, when this period of English colonial history is studied, it is not the peace that was established between these two races or diverse peoples that is studied; it is usually the breakdown of that peace, or King Philip's War, that is scrutinized. So, by the numbers, the peace between the Pilgrims (not the Puritans) and the Wampanoag technically was able to last from 1621 to 1675 -- 54 years, but those who focus on this period zero in on King Philip's War that lasted for fourteen months from 1675 to 1676. Peace treaty? To ignore over fifty years of peace between the Indians and the Pilgrims deliberately restricts the possibilities of maintaining a perspective of comparison in understanding the value of this period of peace. Those who pursue peace may wonder why it is so essential to focus on the factors that emphasize the destructiveness of human beings and ignore the promotion of peace. Yet, many Progressive historians seem to be happy to fan the flames of divisiveness and fomenting disunity even when writing history. This is a deliberate or intentional effort for history to be used as a “weapon” as advocated by Howard Zinn.


Progressive-Revisionist historians

Unfortunately, over the centuries, numerous distortions have developed regarding this festival that became known as the “First Thanksgiving,” and one tragic casualty seems to have been the loss of the peace treaty. If one views this festival from a perspective of the American Indians, minus the Progressive-revisionist vitriol, it is truly possible to widen the scope of the meaning of the event. If it were not for assistance provided by the American Indians, the Pilgrims would not have invited the natives to a meal of gratitude. Without the foundation of friendly relations that transcended fundamental differences between the two distinct races of human beings, the feasting during the “First Thanksgiving” would likely not have occurred, and it may have never existed. Be truly grateful that despite being buried in the dustbin of history that the original event was built upon a deeper foundation and contains a much deeper meaning than most of the Progressive-Revisionist historians choose to see or formally acknowledge. If a real diverse group of people could come together for a three-day celebration from gratitude for genuine friendship, there is hope for diversity to not be a recipe for division and hate, but a foundation for flourishing friendship. This is an essential reason why the deeper meaning behind the “First Thanksgiving” is crucial to the world we live in right now.

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Dennis Jamison -- Bio and Archives

Dennis Jamison reinvented his life after working for a multi-billion dollar division of Johnson & Johnson for several years. Currently retired from West Valley College in California, where he taught for nearly 10 years, he now writes articles on history and American freedom for various online publications.

Formerly a contributor to the Communities at the Washington Times and Fairfax Free Citizen, his more current articles appear in Canada Free Press and Communities Digital News. During the 2016 presidential primaries, he was the leader of a network of writers, bloggers, and editors who promoted the candidacy of Dr. Ben Carson. Jamison founded “We the People” - Patriots, Pilgrims, Prophets Writers’ Network and the Citizen Sentinels Network. Both are volunteer groups for grassroots citizen-journalists and activists intent on promoting and preserving the inviolable God-given freedoms rooted in the founding documents. 

Jamison also co-founded RedAmericaConsulting to identify, counsel, and support citizen-candidates, who may not have much campaign money, but whose beliefs and deeds reflect the role of public servants rather than power-hungry politicians.  ​


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