Were the pilgrims good or not?
By Cody AndrusThe Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth in 1620 are often depicted in American history as emblematic of the virtues of perseverance, religious freedom, and community. Their journey is celebrated as a defining moment in the formation of the United States. But their arrival on the shores of what is now Massachusetts, and their subsequent actions, raise complex questions about morality, colonialism, and the treatment of Indigenous peoples. Were the Pilgrims good people? Or did their pursuit of religious freedom come at a grave cost to the people already living in North America?
The Pilgrims were separatists seeking to escape religious persecution in England. Facing imprisonment and execution for their refusal to conform to the Church of England, they fled first to the Netherlands and then, seeking a more permanent refuge, embarked on their voyage across the Atlantic. Their goal was to establish a society based on their Puritan religious values, where they could freely practice their faith without interference from the English monarchy. In this sense, the Pilgrims embodied a courageous desire for religious freedom—a principle that would later become foundational in American democratic thought.
Upon arriving in what they believed to be an uninhabited wilderness, they were struck by the abundance of natural resources, which provided them with opportunities for growth and prosperity. Their relationship with the Indigenous Wampanoag people, especially in the early years, was relatively cooperative. The Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, helped the Pilgrims by teaching them how to farm the land, hunt local game, and utilize the region's resources. In exchange, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag entered into a peace treaty that lasted for over 50 years, a testament to the Pilgrims' desire.
The Pilgrims' early survival was also a remarkable achievement. Though they faced tremendous hardships, including famine, illness, and harsh winters, their ability to organize and persevere is a significant accomplishment. They built homes, established a self-governing colony, and created a lasting community that contributed to the expansion of European settlement in North America.
Despite their positive qualities, the Pilgrims' actions were not without significant moral failings. One of the most troubling aspects of their legacy is their role in the broader context of colonialism. While the Pilgrims initially viewed the land they settled on as empty and unclaimed, this was far from the reality. The Wampanoag people had been living on this land for thousands of years, developing sophisticated societies, systems of governance, and cultural practices. The Pilgrims' arrival, therefore, was not the discovery of an empty wilderness but the intrusion into a thriving and dynamic community.
While the Pilgrims attempted to foster peaceful relations with the Wampanoag, their interactions were often underpinned by a sense of cultural superiority. The Pilgrims saw themselves as morally and religiously superior to the Indigenous peoples they encountered. The Pilgrims' belief in the "right" of Europeans to settle the Americas was informed by the Eurocentric belief that European civilization was more advanced than that of the Native peoples. This belief justified the dispossession of Native land and the destruction of Indigenous cultures.
The Pilgrims also played a part in the spread of European diseases, which decimated Indigenous populations across the Americas. Many of the diseases brought by the Pilgrims, such as smallpox, were responsible for wiping out entire communities. The loss of life was not only caused by conflict but also by the unintended biological consequences of colonization.
Furthermore, as the Pilgrims’ colony grew and expanded, their peaceful coexistence with the Wampanoag began to deteriorate. Over time, the Pilgrims began to take more land from the Indigenous peoples, and their actions led to the eventual displacement of Native communities. This was especially true as more settlers arrived and sought to expand the colonial territories, disregarding the peace agreements that had been made.
While the Pilgrims' narrative often focuses on their struggles and their relationship with the Wampanoag, it is crucial to consider the perspective of the Indigenous peoples who had lived in North America for thousands of years before the Pilgrims' arrival. The Wampanoag and other Native tribes had established complex societies with distinct languages, cultures, and traditions. They had their own ways of organizing social, political, and economic life, which were disrupted by the arrival of European settlers.
From the Native perspective, the Pilgrims’ actions were often seen as invasive and disrespectful. The peace treaty between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims was not necessarily an act of friendship but rather a strategic alliance against mutual enemies, such as the Pequot tribe. While the Wampanoag helped the Pilgrims survive in the early years, they were also keenly aware of the long-term implications of European settlement. The Pilgrims’ demand for land and resources ultimately led to the displacement of Native peoples and the destruction of their way of life.
In the years following the Pilgrims’ arrival, the relationship between the settlers and the Wampanoag soured. As more settlers arrived and the Pilgrims expanded their territory, the Wampanoag were increasingly forced to confront the reality that their land was being taken from them. The Pilgrims' expansionism and their disregard for Native sovereignty contributed to a series of conflicts, culminating in King Philip’s War (1675–1678), a violent confrontation between Native tribes and the English settlers. This war led to the further displacement and devastation of the Wampanoag and other Native communities.
The question of whether the Pilgrims were bad or "evil" or simply misguided is difficult to answer. From the perspective of their time, the Pilgrims likely believed they were doing the right thing. They saw their religious mission as just and saw themselves as fulfilling a divine purpose by settling in the New World. They thought of themselves as bringing civilization, salvation, and order to a land they believed to be empty and ready for European settlement. This sense of divine destiny and moral righteousness is part of the narrative that shaped their actions.
But when viewed through a modern lens, the Pilgrims' actions are seen as part of a broader pattern of European colonialism that caused immense harm to Indigenous peoples. The displacement, violence, and destruction wrought by the Pilgrims, though not as severe in the early years, set the stage for centuries of exploitation and oppression. While the Pilgrims may not have intended to harm Native Americans, their presence and actions were part of a system that led to significant loss of life, land, and culture for Indigenous peoples.%
In considering whether the Pilgrims were "good" people, we must recognize that their legacy is neither entirely positive nor negative. They did bring about some positive changes, particularly in terms of religious freedom and community building. But their actions must be viewed within the context of colonialism, which was marked by displacement, violence, and exploitation. The Pilgrims, like many historical figures, were products of their time, operating under a worldview that justified their actions as part of a divine mission. Yet, their legacy is also a painful reminder of the costs of European colonization and the displacement of Indigenous peoples.
Ultimately, the Pilgrims' story is not just about their actions but also about how we understand the history of America. It is a history that includes both noble aspirations and grievous wrongs. As we reflect on their legacy, it is important to acknowledge the complexity of their actions and the lasting impact on Native communities.
The Wall Street Journal, AP News, Reuters, JSTOR Daily, "Native American History and the Pilgrims," Harvard University Press, "Colonial Encounters," University of California Press.
