King Philip’s War

1. King Philip’s War 1675-1676

2. I Can… Describe the interactions between American Indians and European settlers.

3. Frontier Conflict • After 50 years of peaceful relations with Native Americans in New England, tensions increased when the Wampanoag leader, Metacom, began to distrust the colonists. • He felt colonists did not respect the Indians and wanted to take their lands • Unhappy that more and more lands were being sold to settlers in exchange for European goods • Metacomsaid he would no longer deal with the governors of the colonies. • He demanded to deal only with the King of England himself. • He became referred to “King Philip” by the colonists after comparing himself the the king.

4. WarKPs KPs Fight • Metacomfelt the English wanted to take his people’s lands • The English felt he was out to destroy them • An Indian named John Sassamon reported that the Wampanoag were planning an attack. • Sassamon was later found murdered. • Three Indians were arrested and hanged

5. Violence erupted in 1675 • Both sides attacked settlements, killing men, women, and children • Massachusetts government offered “scalp bounties” for the scalps of Indian men, women, & children • The English ask other Indian tribes to help stop the attacks

6. The Tide Turns Some Indians joined the colonists and fought against Metacom. • Their interest was economic. The English had European goods the Indians wanted (tools, weapons, etc) so it was in their economic interest to help the settlers. • Also used were the “Praying Indians” who had been converted to a type of Christianity

7. King Philip’s Fate • Fighting ended in 1676 • Metacomwas drawn and quartered and his head placed on a pike.

8. Outcome • Many Indians were killed or sold into slavery in the West Indies. • Settlers expanded even further onto Indian lands.

9. Review Describe the positive and negative interactions between the American Indians and the European settlers in New England.