This episode of “The Other States of America” re-examines King Philip’s War, challenging common historical narratives. The podcast delves into the complex relationships and motivations of various Native American groups, revealing a conflict far more nuanced than a simple uprising. One can explore the escalating tensions and shifting alliances that fueled this devastating war by listening to the 100-minute YouTube video posted on April 3, 2024 by Other States of America.

Tension between the Pokanoket leadership of the Paramount Federation and the English boiled over into one of the deadliest wars, per capita, in colonial history following the death of John Sassamon (above, center) and the subsequent trial and hanging of three Native men by a Plymouth court.

The response to the outbreak of the War by the English Pilgrims was organized by Benjamin Church (above, left) who was friendly with the Sakonnet Natives led by Chief Ashawonks (above, center). While some of the tribes fought under Pokanoket Chief Metacom (King Philip), others who had been converted to Christianity by John Eliot (above, right) sided with the English.

The Narragansetts joined the War against the English following a December 18, 1675 massacre at the Great Swamp (above, left) in Rhode Island by the consolidated English forces. In the the spring of 1676, English Pilgrim Mary Rowlandson (above, center) was kidnapped in Lancaster and held for 14 weeks with Philip’s war party. The War came to a close after 14 months in August, 1676 with the murder of Metacom at Mt. Hope and the capture of Chief Anawan (above, right).