![]() For a short time, they succeeded and took over the church and the English government! (See “Oliver Cromwell.”) When the English crown was restored, thousands of discouraged Puritans made their way to North America. The Puritans, who were part of a much larger and better financed migration to America, did not want to separate from the church: They wanted to “purify the doctrines” and thus reform the church. They felt that the Church of England was so corrupt and far from Biblical truths, that separation from that church was the only answer. The pilgrims were a part of the Protestant Reformation. Like most zealots, they were pretty intolerant of those who had different beliefs. They were indeed running from the English authorities because they were “Separatists,” but they didn’t have in mind a new world with religious freedom for all. The old story is that they came here for “religious freedom,” which is partially true. Bradford later describes the bloody “Pequot War,” in which the colonists all but exterminated a tribe.īeyond these facts, we also know people have been somewhat misled about why the pilgrims risked a hazardous sea voyage to come here. The celebration went on for several days.īut, the euphoria did not last. Both groups contributed food and sat down together. ![]() The native tribe, the Wampanoag, did participate. So, was there a “first Thanksgiving”? Yes, according to Bradford. ![]() Much of what we think we know about the pilgrims is contained in that account. While the young nation included immigrants from all over the world, it continued to be English-speaking, despite two wars with the Brits!īesides the language link, there is the fact that the pilgrims produced a very early written account: "Of Plymouth Plantation," by second governor William Bradford. To understand that, we must remember that our fledgling country became an English-speaking country. So why do the pilgrims get all the credit? The French were establishing themselves in what is now Louisiana. The Spanish had a presence in the Gulf and on the West Coast. Our social studies department had the kids read a paperback called "Before the Mayflower." On the cover is a picture of a slave ship! It arrived here before the pilgrims! If they were the first colonists, to whom were the slaves delivered? The only accurate way to describe it is “the second permanent English colony” (after Jamestown) in what would become the USA. But, as columnist Eugene Robinson recently indicated, what has been scorned as “Critical Race Theory” and “woke” behavior is really little more than “teaching the truth.”Īs a longtime high school English teacher, I can tell you that at least 25 years ago we were explaining to kids that Plymouth Rock was most certainly not the birthplace of our nation. This dilemma has been framed recently as something that has just come up, a small part of the “woke” movement. It seems these are no longer “politically correct.” In her crate of Thanksgiving decorations are figures of pilgrims and Native Americans. My wife, God bless her, decorates indoors and out for nearly every holiday.
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