Survival, Adaptation, and Bargains: Native Political Strategies in Early Colonial New England

Social Evolution & History. 2023. Vol. 22. No. 1. P. 3–24.

Gleb V. Aleksandrov

Many contemporary popular works and even some scholarly publications dealing with indigenous populations of the New World present native peoples as hapless victims of European expansionism that were incapable of preventing or even dealing with the continuous encroachment of white settlers on their traditional homelands. While the effect of European colonization on Native communities was often devastating, this perspective leaves out of consideration the ability of Native American societies to adapt to changing circumstances and to influence the re-shaping of the world around them. Indigenous leaders employed a number of adaptation strategies designed to foster the retention of tribal political organization, economic systems, and collective identity, at least to some extent. This paper explores the political strategies employed by native groups in New England in the XVIIth century, focusing on Native leaders who were the most successful in dealing with their European counterparts – Uncas, the Mohegan sachem and Robin Cassacinamon, the Pequot leader. We will explore the specific political tools used by these leaders, how those differed from traditional Native political strategies and why they were ultimately successful. We will also explore the possible adaptative strategies used by individuals not in positions of leadership. As we will show, Native Americans were not passive victims of circumstances but rather, they were active participants in the colonial encounter. Native adaptation strategies were well thought out and successful. They also had a significant and sometimes a defining influence on the development of the colonies.

Keywords: XVII century New England, Colonial expansion in North America, Native Americans

Publication based on the results of: Anthropology and History: Evolution of Social Institutions, their Systems and Systemic Functions (2022)