Plymouth Essay

The founding of English colonies in modern Massachusetts combined a strange mix of idealism and violence. Although the colonists did use violence, they had to use it to protect themselves and their colonies. Miles Standish contributed important protection to the early colonies by using violence. Benjamin Church also provided vital leadership to protect these colonies during King Phillip's war. But despite all the violence in these colonies they weren't based on violence alone. They were also based on religious freedom. That is what they came to America looking for.

Miles Standish contributed important protection to the early colonies by using violence. Miles Standish was a man who was brave and do anything to protect his colony. One way he did this was that he killed Wituwamat with his own knife. Standish organized a supper with Pecksuot and Witawumat. He knew that they would come because earlier Wituwatmat had "frightened" Standish. He said that he was going to kill him with this knife he had around his neck. But when they came for supper Standish took the knife from around Wituwamat's neck and stabbed him many times. He also was a man who would stop at nothing. When he thought that Squanto was dead he stormed into the camp where they thought he was. He had no second thoughts about bursting into the wigwam and screaming at the Indians. This proved that he would stop at nothing to protect and do what is best for his people. Also after Standish had killed Wituwamat he said that he would kill any other Indians he saw that day. He didn't want any Indians trying to kill him and his men because he just killed Wituwamat.

Benjamin Church provided vital leadership to protect the colonies during King Phillip's War. One way that he protects them is during the Indian ambush. There were 300 Indians and 20 of Church's men. He lead them all to safety and none of them died. This shows how good of a lead he is because he never gave up when the Indians started to try to surround them. He kept fighting to protect his men and win. Church was also a good leader because he captured Anawon and his people. Anawon was the last great chief of Phillip's tribe. Church wanted to take Anawon and his people prisoner with only 6 men on his side. He had a plan of attack and was prepared to die if Anawon do the job of taking in Anawon. He decided that he couldn't wait for backup because Anawon would have left by the time they got there. So he secured the Indians guns and approached them. 6 of Church's men took down 60 of Anawons men. This shows great planning and leadership. He also respected the people that he took prisoner or killed. He did not disrespect Anawon. He actually began to form a friendship with him. Church didn't want to mutilate him or kill him brutally. He was also upset when the government killed Anawon and put his head on a pole. This shows a good leader when he maintains respect for the people that he defeats.

Despite all of this violence,the colonies were also founded on religious idealism. Although the Pilgrims were violent to protect themselves they were also very religious. They were Puritan and had very strict beliefs. They were strong believers in public education. They also did nothing on the Sabbath. They were devoted to their beliefs and would not go against them. They also knew that they were a "City on a Hill." This means that whatever they did, they were being watched. They were going to be an example of whether the Pilgrims were going to succeed as a town or if they were going to fail. They also weren't looking for violence when they traveled here. They were looking for religious freedom. They didn't come to this new land to kill people or to try to take over. So the pilgrims didn't come looking for violence they were very strict religiously and they never looked for violence.

In conclusion, although Ben Church used leadership to protect the colonies and Miles Standish also protected the colonies. They may have used violence to protect themselves and their people but they never came looking for a fight. They just wanted to have religious freedom and be able to live as free people. It is important to know about all of this information because many people believe that America was founded on the pilgrims. It is important to know what they did as a colony and to know what they based their standards on.