Question

Briefly explain how King Philip’s (or Metacom’s) War, which Mather calls “the War with the Indians in New England,” affected the attitudes of English colonists.

Answer 1

New England colonists felt their win over the allied Native American tribes was a sign from God that they were destined to settle and be prosperous in the Americas. New England settlers used the war as a reason to retaliate against Native Americans and to treat them poorly. The war proved to colonists that the Indians were violent and lacking the ability to be civilized.

King Philip's War was a war against the New England colonists. This war brought together a few tribes with the Wampanoag tribe leading the charge. The tribes were tired of being connected to the English and this was their final attempt to get rid of the English settlers. Some other tribes joined the English in the battles and the English settlers were victorious in the end. Those on the losing side either fled for protection or were enslaved by the colonists. Those remaining from the enemy side were treated poorly and with the leader King Philip being beheaded for his part in the war.