The term references a 17th-century conflict (1636-1638) between the Pequot tribe and an alliance of the English colonists of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies supported by their Native American allies (the Narragansett and Mohegan tribes). This armed struggle resulted in the near elimination of the Pequot tribe and significantly altered the power dynamics in early colonial New England.
Understanding this clash is crucial for Advanced Placement United States History students because it reveals the complexities of early colonial relations, demonstrating the brutal nature of colonial expansion, the devastating impact on Native American populations, and the colonists’ shifting alliances with different indigenous groups. The outcome of the war solidified English dominance and influenced future colonial policies towards Native Americans.
