The Origins of Thanksgiving – Fact vs. Myth
Every year, as Thanksgiving approaches, the internet lights up with debates over its origins. Memes pop up claiming the holiday is rooted in genocide, portraying the pilgrims as grave-robbing, land-stealing invaders. On the flip side, defenders of Thanksgiving paint an equally misleading picture, describing the pilgrims as saintly settlers who brought nothing but goodwill and charity to the New World. The truth, as is often the case, lies somewhere in between these extremes.
Thanksgiving has become a symbol of gratitude and unity, but its history is deeply complex. To understand it, we must step back to 1620, when the pilgrims, a group of religious Separatists fleeing persecution in England, arrived in Plymouth. These settlers, often confused with Puritans, were part of a larger movement seeking religious reform. The Puritans remained in England longer, hoping to change the Church of England from within, while the pilgrims chose exile.
When the pilgrims first landed on Cape Cod in November 1620, the land seemed eerily empty. The indigenous populations had been ravaged by a devastating plague just a few years earlier, leaving entire villages deserted. Among these was the village of Patuxet, once home to the man who would later play a crucial role in the pilgrims’ survival: Squanto.
Encounters with the Nausets
Initially, the pilgrims struggled to establish themselves. Hunger drove them to raid underground corn stores belonging to the Nausets, an indigenous group in the region. Although this act could be seen as theft, the pilgrims vowed to repay the Nausets, a promise they fulfilled within a year. Records also reveal instances where the pilgrims desecrated graves, likely in a desperate attempt to understand the resources of the region. These actions, while problematic, were not without regret; the settlers made efforts to restore what they had disturbed.
Early encounters between the pilgrims and the Nausets were tense. In one clash, arrows and musket fire were exchanged, though neither side suffered casualties. Recognizing the futility of conflict, the pilgrims moved on to establish their settlement in Plymouth Harbor, on land that had been abandoned due to the earlier plague.
The Role of Squanto and the Wampanoags
By March 1621, the pilgrims were in dire straits, having lost half their number during a harsh winter. Enter Samoset, a member of the Wampanoag tribe, who approached the settlers with a proposal for trade and alliance. Shortly thereafter, Squanto, a survivor of the Patuxet village and a man fluent in English due to his prior abduction by European traders, joined the scene. Acting as a translator, Squanto facilitated communication between the pilgrims and Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoag tribe.
This partnership was born out of mutual need. The Wampanoags, weakened by disease and under threat from their rivals, the Narragansetts, saw the pilgrims as potential allies. For their part, the pilgrims relied on the Wampanoags for survival. This alliance culminated in the fall of 1621, when 90 Wampanoags and 50 surviving pilgrims shared a harvest meal that would later be mythologized as the “First Thanksgiving.”
Debunking Myths
While the 1621 feast is often romanticized, it wasn’t the harmonious event many imagine. Trust issues persisted, and even Squanto, instrumental in bridging the cultural divide, attempted to manipulate both sides for his own gain. Still, the feast was a remarkable moment of unity, where two vastly different groups set aside their differences to celebrate survival and abundance.
Thanksgiving wasn’t yet an annual tradition. Another harvest celebration occurred two years later, but it wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation during the Civil War that Thanksgiving became a national holiday. By then, the holiday had been imbued with ideals of unity and gratitude, overshadowing its more complex beginnings.
Conclusion
The origins of Thanksgiving challenge us to look beyond simplistic narratives. Neither the pilgrims nor the Wampanoags were perfect, but their story reminds us that gratitude and cooperation can emerge even in the most challenging circumstances. As we gather around our tables this year, let’s remember the imperfect people who shared a meal in 1621, setting an example of unity amidst adversity.