Hi All:
This weekâs topic is to better understand the colonizing of the Americas by the English, beginning in 1620 with the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Massachusetts was at first a âcity upon a hillâ â a colony founded by allegedly âpureâ Protestant Christians (or Puritans) who wanted to practice their Calvinist faith without government restrictions.
Read: William Bradford’s History of Plymouth Plantation
View: The Pilgrims
This is an amazing but long (2 hour) documentary. Give yourself time to watch it, perhaps in segments.
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We will also briefly touch upon the Dutch colonization of New York, beginning with Henry Hudson sailing up the Hudson River in 1609. New York City was originally called New Amsterdam. It was first settled in 1625, when the Dutch âboughtâ the entire island of Manhattan from the Lenape tribe for beads and trinkets work about $24 dollars. In 1664, the English took over New Amsterdam from the Dutch and called it New York, after James II, the Duke of York (and later King of England).
Read: Jacob Steendamâs âIn Praise of New Netherlandâ (1636) [The first poem written in and about New York!]
The Flushing Remonstrance [The famous 1657 document that ensured religious freedom in New York]
Watch: History of New Amsterdam
Lastly, I ask you to think about the impact of the English on the indigenous peoples, from the point of view of the Wampanoag Tribe. This was the tribe the Pilgrims first encountered in Massachusetts. Squanto is the famous Wampanoag who helped the Pilgrims survive the cold winters during their first years. He spoke English because, in 1614, he had already been kidnapped and taken to England, before returning to his village.
Watch the short video “Captured: 1614” from Our Story: 400 Years of Wampanoag History that tells of Squanto’s kidnapping.
Finally, I want to leave you with a quote from Ned Blackhawk, from his new book, The Rediscovery of America . Keep Blackhawkâs point in mind as we continue to cover material this semester.
European contact sent shockwaves across Indigenous homelands, reverberating in many forms, some of them undocumented. Scholars have spent over fifty years attempting to measure the impacts of these intrusions. They suggest that the worlds of Native peoples became irrevocably disrupted by the most traumatic development in American history: the loss of Indigenous life due to European diseases. Epidemics tore apart numerous communities and set in motion unprecedented migrations and transformations. North Americaâs total population nearly halved from 1492 to 1776: from approximately 8 million to under 4 million.
The almost unimaginable scale of death and depopulation calls into question celebratory portraits of the Founding, and also helps to explain the motivations for American Indian trade, diplomacy, and warfare, all of which shaped the evolution of European settlements. From the rise of New France in 1609 to the colonization of California in 1769, the economic, diplomatic, and military influence of American Indians were key factors in imperial decision-making. The treaties with Indigenous nations ratified by the U.S. Senate constitute the largest number of diplomatic commitments made by the federal government throughout its first century. These truths show that it is impossible to understand the United States without understanding its Indigenous history.
Post Assignment (due Monday, Sept. 18): Discuss a scene from the documentary “The Pilgrims” that particularly interests you AND from one other reading or video. Do NOT write on a scene discussed by another student.
âThe Pilgrimsâ
The scene of the pilgrims at sea signing a âcontractâ stood out to me. In this scene, all 41 men on board signed this document to keep the colonist group together and avoid division among them. I find this very significant as it is technically the first kind of government they had while at sea on the Mayflower. Although it wasnât a well-written document the colonists wanted to agree to a particular goal to stay together when they got to their destination. I also find it interesting that the men signing the contract were wealthy men and servants which makes me believe that they really wanted to demonstrate equality among that group.
âWho will Teach My Sonâ âOur History: 400 years of Wampanoag Historyâ
This short video made me think of how Wampanoag women must have felt when they found out that their husbands were captured by foreigners and taken away from their homes. In the video, the woman talks about how she could never imagine not being with her husband and that they had known each other since they were kids. She felt lost and uncertain about how to raise her children without a father. This video made me feel upset and sad for all the Wampanoag people who lost fathers, brothers, and sons to the foreigners who settled on their land. Unfortunately, the sorrow, diminishing, suffering, and loss of these people allowed us to be in this country in the present so we should respect the people of this tribe who are still among us today.
Very sharp, insightful commentary Jessica. You are right to mention the importance of what is now known as “The Mayflower Compact,” our first contract for self-government and predecessor to the Constitution. I also like your call for respect for the indigenous peoples, for all their suffering (and assistance to the Pilgrims).
The Pilgrims
In a touching moment on the Mayflower, we see William Bradford holding his book, tears in his eyes. This scene takes us back to a sad event on December 12th, 1620. On that day, Bradford received terrible news: his 23-year-old wife, Dorothy, had fallen into the cold bay’s waters while the ship was anchored. They don’t know exactly how it happened. Some think it was an accident on the icy ship deck, while others wonder if she was very sad because they had lost a child recently. As Bradford held his book, he was reading a short poem he wrote: “Don’t lose hope, trust in God, even when bad things seem so hard. When God cares, He may test and try, but He’ll dry your tears, and that’s no lie.”
New Amsterdam: Early Dutch Colony Establishes New York City
New Amsterdam, now known as New York City, began as a Dutch settlement established by the Dutch West India Company in 1624. This colonial community expanded its influence from the southern tip of Manhattan to include parts of Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Importantly, the land for New Amsterdam was obtained from the indigenous Manhattans in 1626 through the exchange of $24 worth of European trinkets. However, conflicts with Native Americans, including a prolonged war from 1641, complicated early relations. Despite the challenges, the colony’s population grew, reaching 9,000 by 1664, with the majority residing in Lower Manhattan. This growth drew the attention of the British, who sailed into New Amsterdam’s harbor in August 1664, leading to a peaceful surrender and the colony’s transformation into New York City, named in honor of the Duke of York, who later became King James II. New Amsterdam’s history played an essential role in the emergence of one of the world’s great cities, which is why it was renamed New York City.
Mariam, It’s wonderful that you picked on a very poignant detail about William Bradford’s love of his wife and his genuine humanity. Well said.
Scene From “The Pilgrims” (Documentary)
One particular scene I found interesting from the documentary “The Pilgrims” is when the pilgrims first arrive in North America aboard the may flower in 1620. This moment is important because mark the beginning of their challenging journey to establish a new colony in the New World. This scene shows the unbearable conditions that they faced, including cold weather, limited food supplies and the overall uncertainty of their future. The scene captures the essence of the pilgrims resilience and determination in the face of difficulties. And this serves as a reminder of the sacrifices they made to pursue religious freedom and a better life from themselves and their descendants. This highlights the importance of their interaction with Native Americans communities, especially the Wampanoag tribe, who played a big role in helping the Pilgrims survive in the early years.
Passage From Steendamt’s “In Praise Of New Netherland” (1636)
In Jacob Steendam’s “In Praise of New Netherland”, the fascinating historical document provides an insights into life in New Netherland which is now known as “New York” during the 17th century. One passage that stands out to me is the description of the natural beauty of the region:
“No marvel that you set your eyes with pleasure
Upon this country with its lovely scenery,
The hills, the valleys, rivers full of fish,
The brooks, the forests full of many game,
The pleasant meadows covered with green grass,
And nature decked out in a splendid style.”
This passage captures the sense of wonder and admiration that Steendam felt for the natural beauty of New Netherland and it reflects his appreciation of early European settlers had for the pristine landscapes and abundant resources they encountered in the New World. Steendam’s poem is important because it is one of the earliest literary works associated with New York, offering a glimpse into the cultural and literary life of the Dutch settlers in the region. With “The Pilgrims”, Steendam showed two different aspects of early American history which are the struggles of the Pilgrims in Plymouth and the awe-inspiring natural beauty that attracted settlers to New Netherland. in all the passages provide a multifaceted view of the early colonial experience in what would become the United States.
Glory, You really picked out the best two scenes in early American literature! Bradford’s description of having finally landed in the new world (the wilderness really) is breath-taking. The lines you quote from Steendam’s also capture the great beauty of the New World, and even of New York bay today!
The Pilgrims by Ric Burns
A scene from The Pilgrims that I found particularly interesting was when John Howland was swept off the Mayweather deck because he wanted a breath of fresh air. During a storm in the North Atlantic, indentured servant John Howland held on to a rope for dear life until his crewmates were able to pull him back onboard. The reason I found this scene to be interesting is because Howland later went on to have 10 kids of his own. Those 10 kids had 88 kids of their own and now Howland has over 2 million descendants. One of those descendants were Franklin Roosevelt and both George W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush Jr. This one event could have had so many different outcomes and God was defiantly on Howlands side on that day. If things had gone wrong, or if the rope was not present during the time of his falling, things would have been drastically different. America would have also missed out on 3 presidents, over 2 million people would not have the opportunity to proudly call John Howland their ancestor and a testament to the enduring impact of a single, dramatic moment in history. This one event changed the course of history and America as we know it.
âIn Praise of New Netherlandâ
This poem is interesting because it provides historical insight into the New World during the colonial period. The poem serves as a persuasive piece, encouraging individuals, regardless of social status to choose New Netherland as a place of opportunity. It reflects the hopes and dreams of those who sought a fresh start in a land they believed held great promise and abundance. It does so by highlighting the abundance of wildlife, fish, oysters and vegetation. The poem shows that New Netherland allows for a diverse audience because it invites both the poor and the wealthy. It captures the spirit of optimism and promise that attracted settlers to the New World during the colonial era.
Ha! That’s a pretty interesting account of “the luck” of history that you recount. Your discussion reminds me of the fact that the Pilgrims NEVER meant to land in Plymouth at all. They had wanted to go to NEW YORK. What would New York, and American History, be if the Puritans founded our city!!!
Documentary âThe Pilgrimsâ
A scene that interested me from the documentary âThe Pilgrimsâ was the scene that showed remains of natives scattered across the ground. This stood out to me because European fishermen later ask âwhere did all the people goâ and later the pilgrims but it is the Europeans fault that 50-90% of natives were wiped out due to a plague they brought. This also stood out to me because it was very sad to hear that a few natives that were kidnapped and were returning to their home probably hoped to see family but unfortunately were met with a grave site. It also upset me when they said âTisquantum was fortunate along with others that were kidnappedâŚto make their way back homeâ These people may have survived a plague but I assume their living situation was terrible and not only did they have to be treated horribly and have bad living situations but they also had to find out a huge percentage of their people were wiped out and that the pilgrims would be living on the remains of their families.
Video
The short video âCaptured: 1614, Introductionâ interested me because it related to the scene I chose from âThe Pilgrimsâ. It gave more insight on how the Wampanoag people lived and showed us how their people were beaten and kidnapped. In this video they state that Tisquantum is the only one known to have returned home unlike the documentary that states a few returned. It is sad to know that Tisquantum was the only one to survive. It is upsetting to hear that the natives were being cordial with the immigrants and were just trying to help them and their families just to be hurt. A significant amount of lives were lost but I am happy to hear that a few tribes still exist today and are learning more about their history and celebrating their culture.
Carolyn, I like your humane focus on the indigenous peoples here. It IS fantastic that many tribes are still celebrating their history. It’s also interesting that more and more people think that the recovery of Native American heritage and culture is truly important.
The pilgrims:
The scene that made me sad and hooked on the documentary was their first winter. This demonstrated the extreme hardship the Pilgrims experienced during their first winter in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The extreme weather, coupled with inadequate shelter and scant food supply, had a terrible impact on the settlers. That winter, due to starvation, scurvy, and exposure to the elements, many suffered from serious illnesses, and two or three people every day passed away. The Mayflower became a hospital for the sick and a hospice for the dying as more people fell ill every day. Nearly half of the original Mayflower passengers had died by the end of the winter from a mixture of disease, malnutrition, scurvy, and the extreme cold. The “Starving Time”âa period of hardship and lossâwas a somber illustration of the immense difficulties the Pilgrims encountered in the early years of their settlement in the New World.
New Amsterdam:
New Amsterdam was a Dutch settlement founded in 1626 on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, located in what is now New York City. It was first created as a trade center by the Dutch West India Company, and it later developed into a successful colony. In 1626, the land for New Amsterdam was acquired from the local Manhattans in exchange for $24 worth of European trinkets. Early connections were hampered by battles with Native Americans, particularly a protracted war that began in 1641. Additionally, the English easily took control of New Amsterdam from the Dutch in 1664 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. The city was renamed New York by the English under the command of Colonel Richard Nicolls. According to what I know, the Treaty of Breda, which ended the English-Dutch conflict in 1667, officially recognized the English as the new owners of New Amsterdam. The colony was given permanently to the English as part of the treaty in exchange for the Dutch taking over Suriname in South America. In a sense, New Amsterdam was sold as a result of diplomatic discussions, which marked the start of that city’s development into the prominent and cosmopolitan city that would become New York under British authority.
Excellent commentary in your post, Sarah. I like how you focus on that first brutal winter of the Pilgrims. Theirs is the first “immigrant” story and it’s a reminder how leaving home is never easy. But boy did they have it rough at first!
The Pilgrims
A scene from the documentary âThe Pilgrimsâ that particularly interest me is when they talked about how people will be punished if they don’t go to church. People didn’t have any free will to choose what was right for them. If people decide to not go to church then they will be fined a lot of money. Sometimes they will be imprisoned for not going to church. Even if people were sick they still had to go to church otherwise they would be fined. In 1853 Elizabeth decided that people who didn’t go to church would be banished from the country. People can’t decide anything on their own and have to follow the government.
Video New Amsterdam: Early Dutch Colony Establishes New York City
A scene from the video that particularly interests me is when native Americans who were living in South Manhattan swapped the land for 24 dollars worth of Western European trinkets. It is interesting because now Manhattan is a crowded place and it’s worth more. But in 1626 Manhattan was worth only 24 dollars. After they bought the land from the native Americans lot of Dutch people moved there and their population grew. After a while British came and asked for the place and there was a lot of blood and a lot of people died. In the end, the British took over the land.
Very interesting commentary, Sajeevan. I particularly liked your focus on early English/Religious history. In England, the Pilgrims could not practice their religion freely. They first go to Holland but hate the fact that their religion and culture get diluted again. In the New World, they finally can practice their own free form of religion but they definitely don’t like it when others don’t do the same.
From “The Pilgrims” documentary, one scene that particularly interests me is the portrayal of the initial encounter between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Tribe in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This moment is crucial because it marks the beginning of interactions between European settlers and indigenous peoples in the region. It shows the challenges faced by both groups in trying to understand and communicate with each other due to language and cultural barriers. Squanto’s role as a mediator, having learned English during his time in England, becomes evident here. This scene highlights the complexities of early colonial interactions and the significant role of indigenous individuals like Squanto in bridging the cultural gap.
Turning to the reading “Flushing Remonstrance,” this document is a remarkable testament to the early struggle for religious freedom in what would become New York City. The scene that stands out is the assembly of individuals in Flushing, New Netherland, who signed this remonstrance in 1657. In this scene, we see a diverse group of settlers, including Dutch Reformed, Quakers, and others, coming together to demand the right to practice their religious beliefs freely. It’s a powerful illustration of the principles of religious tolerance and the importance of individuals standing up for their rights, even in the face of colonial authorities.
Both of these scenes underscore the complexities and significance of early American history. The encounter between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Tribe reveals the challenges of cultural exchange, while the signing of the Flushing Remonstrance highlights the early seeds of religious freedom in colonial America. These scenes exemplify the rich tapestry of experiences and ideals that shaped the nation’s history.
From “The Pilgrims” documentary, one scene that particularly interests me is the portrayal of the initial encounter between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Tribe in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This moment is crucial because it marks the beginning of interactions between European settlers and indigenous peoples in the region. It shows the challenges faced by both groups in trying to understand and communicate with each other due to language and cultural barriers. Squanto’s role as a mediator, having learned English during his time in England, becomes evident here. This scene highlights the complexities of early colonial interactions and the significant role of indigenous individuals like Squanto in bridging the cultural gap.
Turning to the reading “Flushing Remonstrance,” this document is a remarkable testament to the early struggle for religious freedom in what would become New York City. The scene that stands out is the assembly of individuals in Flushing, New Netherland, who signed this remonstrance in 1657. In this scene, we see a diverse group of settlers, including Dutch Reformed, Quakers, and others, coming together to demand the right to practice their religious beliefs freely. It’s a powerful illustration of the principles of religious tolerance and the importance of individuals standing up for their rights, even in the face of colonial authorities.
Both of these scenes underscore the complexities and significance of early American history. The encounter between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Tribe reveals the challenges of cultural exchange, while the signing of the Flushing Remonstrance highlights the early seeds of religious freedom in colonial America. These scenes exemplify the rich tapestry of experiences and ideals that shaped the nation’s history.
Waleed, Nice job focusing on the very complex and fascinating first encounters between the Natives and the Pilgrims. The encounters shows both groups as savvy and sef-protective, as you note. It’s also great that you focus on the importance of the Flushing Remonstrance in regards to religious freedom . It took a long road to get there and America is exemplary in this.
Scene: Overboard on the Mayflower
One of the most captivating scenes in Eric Burn's documentary "The Pilgrims" is the depiction of
the âOverboard on the Mayflowerâ. Personally, this moment stands out for its historical
significance and the insight it provides into the early days of American democracy.
In this scene, the Pilgrims who were seeking religious freedom, arrived in Plymouth in 1620.
Facing harsh conditions and uncertain futures, they gathered in a cramped cabin aboard the
Mayflower to draft and sign the Mayflower Compact. This document represented a landmark in
early American governance, as it established a framework for self-government and laid a strong
foundation for democratic principles in the New World. This scene from "The Pilgrims" to me
serves as a reminder of the importance of democratic ideals and the courage of those who helped
shape the nation's early political history. It emphasizes the relevance of studying history to
understand the roots of contemporary political systems and the enduring values that continue to
shape our society.
Video: New Amsterdam: Early Dutch Colony Establishes New York City
The video "New Amsterdam: Early Dutch Colony Establishes New York City" offers fascinating
insights into the history of one of America's most iconic cities. It highlights the Dutch settlement
of New Amsterdam in the early 17th century and its transformation into present-day New York.
What I like about the video is the enduring influence of the Dutch on the city's culture and its
architecture. The Dutch Settlers left a lasting imprint on the city's urban planning, with features
like its famous grid system of streets. Additionally, they also introduced diverse cultural
elements, including religious tolerance and a spirit of entrepreneurship that still characterizes this
city to date. Additionally, the video explores the complex historical dynamics, such as the
takeover of New Amsterdam by the English and its subsequent renaming as New York City. This
shift in power, in my opinion illustrates the dynamic nature of colonial history.
Very interesting commentary Roussena. You capture the highpoints and complexities of both documentaries very well.
The Pilgrims
When the Pilgrims landed in the new region, they chose to keep a careful distance for over a month instead of immediately settling. Their goal was to fully understand the foreign vast land. During this time, scouts were sent out to explore and discover ideal locations for their colony. These scouts were critical in recording their interactions with the local population. Notably, when the Pilgrims’ scouts saw the native inhabitants, they responded with surprise and caution, often withdrawing into the dense forests to avoid interaction. As the scouts probed further, they came across cemetery sites holding European remains, which was an unexpected discovery. The Pilgrims and their scouts were perplexed by this mystery, as they battled with the confusing relationship between these European remains and the native inhabitants of the area. Eventually he was attacked by the natives and retreated away.
âOURâSTORY: 400 Years of Wampanoag History
One of the videos displayed how messengers were needed to relay information between tribes, as quoted from the article ” The Messenger Runnersâ members of the Tribe who were chosen, based upon their endurance and their capacity for memory, to run to neighboring villages and territories to deliver essential messages.” These runners would remain crucial because of their role and their commitment to delivering the message. To optimize their efficiency, the Wampanoag established specialized routes that enabled these runners to deliver messages swiftly and effectively. What intrigued me the most was the critical role of these messengers in maintaining communication and peace between neighboring tribes.
Excellent balancing of both the Pilgrim and Native American perspectives here, Bai. NIcely done.
The Pilgrims
A scene from the film that particularly interests me is how they talked about how the natives are viewed as “beasts”. I think that it is very unfairly to label the natives as beasts because all they just wanted was a better life. Another scene from the film that particularly interests me is how people were punished if they don’t attend church. If they didn’t attend church, they will be hit with a fine. This is all new to me because I’ve never heard of people getting fine for not attending church very interesting.
Early Dutch Colony Establishes New York City
A scene from the video that particularly interests me is when by 1655 new nether land had grown to 2,000 people with 3/4 of the population living in new Amsterdam. I find this very interesting because it’s population was increasing it’s ability to grow and stimulate it’s advantages of gaining more towns.
Excellent pick-up on the small-minded “eurocentrism” of the Pilgrims in viewing the Native Americans, Akeria. It’s pretty clear the Natives were much smarter about survival in the wilderness and far more civil than their English counterparts.
The Pilgrims—Death Meaning
The most interesting scene that I feel is the âdeathâ meaning in between the âEnglish deathâ and âIndian death.â Even thereâs no record of the burial, but what happened to the death and is totally dropped out of the story (Donegan, 1:08) âGod took them away by deathâ but the transgressive and dangerous story as the âcorpses falling in the wildernessâ comes to pass, then the place become the place of death for both Native and English. However, âthe pilgrims had to protect their âEnglish deathâ meaning that was different from âIndian death.â Indian death mean bones scattered on the ground were forgotten people that just material that became carrion, waste, dispossession. On the other hand, the English death was becoming âthe seed, buried, possessionâ and going to be remembered, honored. Through the documentary, the pilgrims were putting the body in the ground is a way of making that ground sacred and claiming their death that planted started here and making the death became the most important root here. âPut the troops in death ground and they will live.â The seed was planting and growing, and the place became the âhome of resurrection.â Life after life.
The Flushing Remonstrance
This was a historic document written in 1657 in the town of flushing, which is now part of the New York City borough of queens.it documented a protest the persecution of Quakers by the New Amsterdam colonial authorities, who were under Dutch control at that time. The remonstrance asserted the principle of religious freedom and argued that individuals should have the right to practice their own religion without fear of persecution. The director-general of New Netherland was addressed and a group of English citizens of Flushing signed. It is considered an important precursor to the broader protections for religious freedom that enshrined in the United States constitution. As a half Korean and half Chinese New Yorker, Iâm in love with this place, which now still mainly Korean and Chinese Americans populations dwell here. There are lots of delicious special food, young vibes, and entertainments around. Even I live in Brooklyn, still go at least 3-4 times a month hunting for special food with at least 50-mintes drive each time.
Oh yes. New York remains the capital of diversity of all kinds and has the best food in the world because of it. If you go to Queens, you can actually visit the Bowne House museum, where the Flushing Remonstrance was signed. Your observation on the Native American burial practices is a reminder of just how complex and humane their culture really was. It must have been devastating to them, not to give each other proper burials during the plagues of 1618-19. Very thoughtful post.
When William Bradford was initially featured in “The Pilgrim” (documentary), it was reported that he intended to preserve his community in history. âWhen the Puritans arrived in 1630, 15,000 of them, the agricultural market was set. That meant more farms, farther out, on fresher terrain, dispersing the religious group even further. Even its most ardent supporters are venturing out into farms and remote districts. In 1630, not long after the creation of Boston, William, as governor, foresaw the transformation of his own community.â Because the essence of the community was personal people living together as a group, praying together, and expressing their ideas, its integrity was being lost.
During the “400 Years of Wampanoag History,” I found that it was very insightful and interesting that an English Cultural regional fleet of ships was sent out to trade with the Wampanoag Native Americans. They are portrayed as the first tribe seen by the Mayflower Pilgrims on their way to Patuxet (Plymouth) to establish Plymouth Colony. Only Tisquantum, sometimes known as Squanto, is known to have returned home after being taken during colonization in 1614.
You point out some interesting facts here Christina. It is interesting that while the Pilgrims started out to created a solely religious community, within a few decades they had become secular in many ways. Still, a visit to New England will show many many cute little towns with white churches and steeples in the center — a legacy of the Pilgrims.
In “The Pilgrims,” a scene depicting the perils of the sea vividly portrays the treacherous conditions the Pilgrims endured during their voyage on the Mayflower. This gripping portrayal includes dramatic reenactments of the ship battling fierce storms, towering waves, and adverse weather conditions, showcasing the physical and emotional strain on passengers and crew alike. Sickness, cramped quarters, and the constant threat of shipwreck test their endurance, while their unwavering commitment to religious freedom and their faith serve as a powerful backdrop to their harrowing journey across the Atlantic, offering a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and resilience of these early settlers in pursuit of a new life in America.
The Flushing Remonstrance, dated December 27, 1657, is a historically significant document that captures a critical moment in the early history of religious freedom in what is now New York. The scene illustrating “Resistance and Resolution” against Director General Stuyvesant’s religious oppression highlights the remarkable defiance and determination of early settlers like John Bowne. Bowne’s open defiance of the ban on Quaker worship, his subsequent imprisonment, and his courageous journey to Holland, where he successfully argued for religious tolerance, exemplify the unwavering commitment to religious freedom. His triumph in securing a letter from the Dutch West India Company, rebuking Stuyvesant’s actions, marked a turning point, ultimately ending the persecution of Quakers and religious minorities in the colony. Bowne’s actions underscore how individuals, even in the face of adversity, played a pivotal role in advancing the fundamental rights and freedoms we cherish today.
I like your many insightful points here, Mumin. It’s astute of you to note, for example, that much of challenges of being an immigrant Pilgrim was the long, emotionally challenging voyage across the ocean itself. And yes, Bowne is quite the hero for fighting for religious freedom. And he wasn’t even a Quaker himself!
Documentary âThe Pilgrimsâ
A scene that interested me from the documentary âThe Pilgrimsâ was the scene that showed remains of natives scattered across the ground. This stood out to me because European fishermen later ask âwhere did all the people goâ and later the pilgrims but it is the Europeans fault that 50-90% of natives were wiped out due to a plague they brought. This also stood out to me because it was very sad to hear that a few natives that were kidnapped and were returning to their home probably hoped to see family but unfortunately were met with a grave site. It also upset me when they said âTisquantum was fortunate along with others that were kidnappedâŚto make their way back homeâ These people may have survived a plague but I assume their living situation was terrible and not only did they have to be treated horribly and have bad living situations but they also had to find out a huge percentage of their people were wiped out and that the pilgrims would be living on the remains of their families.
Video
The short video âCaptured: 1614, Introductionâ interested me because it related to the scene I chose from âThe Pilgrimsâ. It gave more insight on how the Wampanoag people lived and showed us how their people were beaten and kidnapped. In this video they state that Tisquantum is the only one known to have returned home unlike the documentary that states a few returned. It is sad to know that Tisquantum was the only one to survive. It is upsetting to hear that the natives were being cordial with the immigrants and were just trying to help them and their families just to be hurt. A significant amount of lives were lost but I am happy to hear that a few tribes still exist today and are learning more about their history and celebrating their culture.