“Of Plymouth Plantation”
By: William Bradford
Thematic Link
 The daring exploration of what is now North
America by English Puritans is motivated by a
wish for religious freedom.
 The Pilgrims’ earliest encounters with Native
Americans and with a harsh, unfamiliar land are
difficult and frightening.
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 Focusing
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your Reading:
Literary Analysis: Primary Sources
Active Reading: Summarizing
 England
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1500’s-1600’s
Main Reason: Religious Freedom
Conflict: Puritans wanted to withdraw from the
Church of England
Separatists known as Pilgrims today fled from
England to Holland and eventually migrated to
America.
1620 sailed across Atlantic Ocean on the
Mayflower.
 What
factual information does William
Bradford present about the voyage?
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The Pilgrims crossed the ocean from England and
landed in a safe port on Cape Cod.
 What
descriptions show Bradford’s personal
opinion or point of view?
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Describes Native Americans’ as “savage
barbarians,” the weather as “sharp and violent,”
and the wilderness as “hideous and desolate.”
Describes the ocean as separating Pilgrims from
all “civil” parts of the world.
 How
does Bradford interpret the Pilgrims’
discovery of Native American’s corn and
beans? What does this tell you about his
beliefs?
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God led them to find the food in order to prevent
them from starving.
Bradford believes that God plays an active part
in the Pilgrims’ daily lives.
This belief creates intimacy, trust, and love
between the Pilgrims’ and God.
 How
does the Pilgrims’ relationship with the
Native Americans’ changed?
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Samoset-English speaking Native American that
brings information to the Pilgrims’ along with
other Native Americans’.
Peaceful relations
Peace agreement with Massasoit
Squanto-helped them plant food, fish, and
served as interpreter for them.
 Impression
of the Pilgrims’ after reading
these excerpts?
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The Pilgrims were brave people so committed to
their religious beliefs that even harsh weather,
danger, and starvation could not make then
unfaithful.
 How
did the Pilgrims view the landscape of
Cape Cod when they first arrived?
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Desolate wilderness full of dense, dark woods
and thickets.
 What
kind of weather did the Pilgrims’ face
after they landed?
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Severe winter weather; constant wind was wet
and bitterly cold.
 How
did the Native Americans help the
Pilgrims’ survive?
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Showed the Pilgrims’ how to plant corn, where to
fish, and generally how to use the natural
resources.
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On the basis of these excerpts, what conclusions can you
draw about the Pilgrims’ way of looking at the world?
Attitude toward Nature: Fear
 Attitude toward God: God observed everything they did and
either punished or rewarded them for their deeds.
 Attitude toward Native Americans’-Afraid, but eventually
appreciated their knowledge and willingness to help.
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Do you thin the treaty between the Wampanoag and the
Pilgrims’ was fair? Why or why not?
Had been in effect for 24 years as of the writing of the
selection; seems to indicate both parties found it reasonable
 Peace-Could not attack each other
 More protection for the Pilgrims’ than the Wampanoags'.
 Not all of the clauses were reciprocal; indicating unfairness
(right to bear arms)
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 Does
the selection support Bradford’s claim
that the Native Americans were savage
barbarians?
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The Native Americans’ manner of dress
Stories that Bradford may have heard about their
behavior.
Attack described in the “First Encounter”
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Yet, the defense of one’s territory is not usually
considered barbaric.
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Overall, Bradford’s account does not adequately support
the “savage barbarian” claim. How so?
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He doesn’t appear to actually have witnessed one instance of
savage behavior on the part of the Native Americans’
His point of view is clearly biased. Ex. When the Native
Americans’ took tools that they later returned, he called this
“stealing.” yet he found no fault with the Pilgrims’ who took
corn and beans without permission because they paid for them
six months later.
Samoset approached the colonists and offered, in English,
considerable information and assistance.
Massasoit agreed to, and then adhered to, a peace compact
Squanto lived with the Pilgrims’ until his death, acting as
interpreter, guide, and teacher. The Pilgrims considered him
and instrument of God.
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Writing
Submit to www.turnitin.com
Hard copy of essay due in class
Writing: Inquiry and Research-pg. 89
 Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, Size 12 with a header
in the right hand corner of first page single-spaced with Name,
Due Date, Hour, OPP Writing
MLA Cite Using EasyBib; will be citing the Textbook and page
numbers from the textbook. Along with other research sources
such as “Women and Children First: The Mayflower Pilgrims” on pg.
102. Please select only valid sources-Go to EasyBib and on the
right of the home page are the Seaholm Media Center databases.
Use these sources for your research.
 In-text citation example: In the primary source, Bradford states,
“…after long beating at sea they fell with that land which is
called Cape Cod” (pg. 82).
 Works Cited Page: Create an essay labeled “Of Plymouth
Plantation” Essay in your EasyBib account, Click on Book tab;
then type in the textbook name; Click on AutoCite or can do a
Manual Entry too.
 Keep in mind “Of Plymouth Plantation” is in quotation marks.