New England Indians Colonists And The Origins Of American Slavery

Exploring the Untold History: How New England Indians, Colonists, and Slavery Shaped America

The Story of New England's Role in the Origins of American Slavery

In this captivating article, we delve into the often overlooked history of New England's involvement in the origins of American slavery. While many associate slavery primarily with the Southern states, the role of New England Indians and colonists in this dark chapter of American history reveals a more complex and intertwined story.

How the Arrival of Colonists Transformed the Lives of New England Indians

When the first colonists arrived in New England in the early 17th century, they encountered a vibrant and diverse Indigenous population. These Native American tribes, including the Wampanoag, Pequot, and Narragansett, lived on the land for centuries, shaping the culture and traditions of the region.

The arrival of the colonists changed the lives of New England Indians forever. With the of European diseases and conflicts over land, the Indigenous population faced devastating consequences. Many tribes were decimated, while surviving members were forced to adapt to the new reality brought by the colonists.

Brethren by Nature: New England Indians, Colonists, and the Origins of American Slavery

by Margaret Ellen Newell (Reprint Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2300 KB
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Print length	:	329 pages

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Trade and Alliance: The Complex Relationships between New England Indians and Colonists

Despite the conflicts, there were also instances of cooperation and trade between New England Indians and colonists. Native Americans possessed valuable knowledge of the land and its resources, which the colonists sought to leverage. Exchange of goods, such as furs and crops, formed the basis of economic relationships between the two groups.

The alliances between some Indigenous tribes and colonists, particularly during the early years of settlement, played a significant role in shaping the future of New England. These alliances were often fragile and fluid, as both sides sought to protect their interests and maintain control over the region.

The Dark Turn: New England Indians and Slavery

As the demand for labor in the New World grew, New England colonists turned to slavery as a means to further their economic interests. Indigenous peoples, including New England Indians, were tragically ensnared in this system of forced labor.

Captured in intertribal conflicts or through direct interaction with the colonists, many New England Indians became victims of the transatlantic slave trade. They were transported to the West Indies and mainland colonies, where they were subjected to brutal conditions and forced to toil on sugar plantations, in households, or as labor in various industries.

Uncovering the Legacy: The Lasting Impact of New England Indians in American Slavery

While the enslavement of New England Indians in American slavery is often overshadowed by the larger-scale slavery in the Southern states, its impact cannot be overlooked. The labor and knowledge of enslaved Indigenous people contributed to the economic growth of the colonies and, later, the United States.

However, the resilience of New England Indians cannot be undermined. Some managed to escape slavery, fought for their freedom, or assimilated into colonial society. Their stories are a testament to the strength and determination of individuals who defied the odds and triumphed in the face of adversity.

: Recognizing the Role of New England Indians in the Origins of American Slavery

This captivating journey through history has shed light on the often forgotten role of New England Indians in the origins of American slavery. By exploring the complex relationships between indigenous tribes and colonists, we uncover a more nuanced understanding of how slavery shaped not only the Southern states but also the very foundation of the United States.

It is crucial to recognize and acknowledge this history to fully comprehend the impact of slavery on American society. By doing so, we honor the stories and experiences of New England Indians and pave the way for a more comprehensive understanding of our nation's complex past.

Brethren by Nature: New England Indians, Colonists, and the Origins of American Slavery

by Margaret Ellen Newell (Reprint Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2300 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	329 pages

FREE

In Brethren by Nature, Margaret Ellen Newell reveals a little-known aspect of American history: English colonists in New England enslaved thousands of Indians. Massachusetts became the first English colony to legalize slavery in 1641, and the colonists' desire for slaves shaped the major New England Indian wars, including the Pequot War of 1637, King Philip's War of 1675–76, and the northeastern Wabanaki conflicts of 1676–1749. When the wartime conquest of Indians ceased, New Englanders turned to the courts to get control of their labor, or imported Indians from Florida and the Carolinas, or simply claimed free Indians as slaves.Drawing on letters, diaries, newspapers, and court records, Newell recovers the slaves' own stories and shows how they influenced New England society in crucial ways. Indians lived in English homes, raised English children, and manned colonial armies, farms, and fleets, exposing their captors to Native religion, foods, and technology. Some achieved freedom and power in this new colonial culture, but others experienced violence, surveillance, and family separations. Newell also explains how slavery linked the fate of Africans and Indians. The trade in Indian captives connected New England to Caribbean and Atlantic slave economies. Indians labored on sugar plantations in Jamaica, tended fields in the Azores, and rowed English naval galleys in Tangier. Indian slaves outnumbered Africans within New England before 1700, but the balance soon shifted. Fearful of the growing African population, local governments stripped Indian and African servants and slaves of legal rights and personal freedoms. Nevertheless, because Indians remained a significant part of the slave population, the New England colonies did not adopt all of the rigid racial laws typical of slave societies in Virginia and Barbados. Newell finds that second- and third-generation Indian slaves fought their enslavement and claimed citizenship in cases that had implications for all enslaved peoples in eighteenth-century America.