Early Challenges and the First Thanksgiving
The Pilgrim Fathers faced immense hardships upon their arrival in the New World. Reaching Plymouth Colony during winter presented numerous challenges:
- Unfamiliarity with the territory
- Depleted food stocks
- Frozen ground making agriculture difficult
Despite some assistance from Native Americans, the colonists struggled to survive. A devastating epidemic of pneumonia and tuberculosis claimed the lives of half the original crew, leaving only 52 survivors and two babies born during the voyage.
Initial encounters with the Amerindians were tense, with natives attacking out of fear of the newcomers. However, relations improved significantly thanks to two key figures:
- Squanto: An Amerindian who had previously been imprisoned in England, escaped, and returned to America.
- Samoset: Another native who helped facilitate communication.
These individuals played crucial roles in teaching the Pilgrims essential survival skills:
- What crops to cultivate and how to grow them
- Ideal locations for fishing and hunting
In gratitude for this assistance, William Bradford (who became governor from 1621 to 1656 following Carver's death) organized a three-day feast in November 1621. This celebration, attended by Massasoit (the leader of the local Native Americans) and 90 other natives, is now recognized as the first Thanksgiving.
Highlight: The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was a celebration of survival and cooperation between the Pilgrims and Native Americans, laying the foundation for what would become a national holiday centuries later.
Definition: Thanksgiving origine résumé: The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to this 1621 celebration, which was a harvest festival expressing gratitude for survival and assistance from Native Americans.
Gradually, with continued support from both Native Americans and Europe, Plymouth Colony developed and thrived. Today, the Pilgrim Fathers are considered among the Founding Fathers of the United States, their journey on the Mayflower and subsequent establishment of Plymouth Colony marking the beginning of permanent European settlement in New England.