The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most iconic and celebrated traditions in the United States, marked by family gatherings, festive meals, and expressions of gratitude. However, the widely accepted narrative of the “first Thanksgiving” that most people learn in school—complete with Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a peaceful meal—does not fully capture the complex and often painful history surrounding the event. The real first Thanksgiving was not the harmonious feast that popular culture often portrays, but a moment in a long and difficult history of interaction between Indigenous peoples and European settlers.
This article seeks to uncover what the real first Thanksgiving was like, based on historical accounts and Native American perspectives. We will explore the events surrounding the 1621 gathering at Plymouth Colony, the relationship between the Wampanoag people and the English settlers, and the cultural context that shaped the encounter. We will also examine the way in which this event has been remembered and distorted over time, and how the true history of Thanksgiving is a reminder of both cooperation and conflict between Native peoples and colonists.
The Historical Context of the First Thanksgiving
To understand the real first Thanksgiving, it is essential to first consider the historical context in which it occurred. The year was 1621, and the English Pilgrims had recently arrived in North America, seeking religious freedom and the promise of a better life. They landed in what is now Massachusetts aboard the Mayflower, establishing the Plymouth Colony in December 1620. However, the first winter was brutal, with many settlers succumbing to disease and hunger.
The Wampanoag people, who had lived in the region for centuries, were aware of the English settlers’ arrival. The Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, had previously encountered European explorers, and their leaders understood the potential benefits of establishing alliances with the newcomers. However, they were also cautious, knowing the devastating impact that European diseases, warfare, and land encroachment could have on their people.
In the early months of the Plymouth Colony’s establishment, the settlers struggled to survive. They faced shortages of food, harsh weather conditions, and a lack of skills necessary for farming in a new environment. At this point, the Wampanoag people, particularly under the leadership of Massasoit, made a strategic decision to assist the struggling colonists. This assistance, which included teaching them agricultural practices and providing food, laid the groundwork for the 1621 harvest feast that would later be remembered as the “first Thanksgiving.”
The Role of the Wampanoag People
The Wampanoag’s role in the first Thanksgiving has often been overlooked or downplayed in mainstream narratives. According to historical accounts, Massasoit and his people were instrumental in the survival of the Plymouth settlers. The Wampanoag taught the Pilgrims vital agricultural skills, such as how to plant corn, beans, and squash—crops that were well-suited to the New England climate and were essential for the colonists’ survival. They also introduced the Pilgrims to new hunting techniques and helped them navigate the local environment.
In the autumn of 1621, after a successful harvest, the Pilgrims decided to hold a feast to celebrate and give thanks for their good fortune. They invited the Wampanoag people to join them, not just as guests, but as partners in the feast. According to some historical accounts, Massasoit brought a delegation of 90 Wampanoag men to the celebration. The gathering was a mix of both cultures, with food, music, and dances from both the English and Native traditions.
However, it is important to note that the feast in 1621 was not an event of peace and harmony as commonly depicted in modern depictions of Thanksgiving. While there was mutual cooperation and an exchange of food and knowledge, the larger context of the meeting was one of strategic diplomacy, rather than an expression of long-term friendship. The Wampanoag were keenly aware of the settlers’ vulnerability, as well as the threat that more European settlers might bring. Thus, their participation in the feast was part of a broader effort to maintain a balance of power in the region.
What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving?
The foods served at the first Thanksgiving were quite different from the modern spread of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. The 1621 feast was a much more modest affair, shaped by the available ingredients in the region and the different culinary traditions of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.
Wildfowl and Seafood: The Pilgrims and Wampanoag both relied heavily on hunting and fishing for food. It is likely that wildfowl such as turkey, ducks, and geese were served, as well as venison, provided by the Wampanoag guests. Seafood such as fish and shellfish, including clams and mussels, were also likely part of the feast, given the abundance of coastal resources.
Corn: Corn, or maize, was a staple crop introduced to the Pilgrims by the Wampanoag. The Wampanoag had been growing corn for centuries, and it became one of the main foods that sustained the Pilgrims. The corn might have been boiled, roasted, or made into a type of porridge, but there is no evidence of cornbread or other modern dishes associated with corn.
Squash and Beans: These were also essential crops that the Wampanoag taught the Pilgrims to grow. The three crops—corn, beans, and squash—are often referred to as the “Three Sisters” in Native American agricultural tradition. These foods were commonly used in various forms, either cooked together or prepared separately.
Nuts and Fruits: The Wampanoag were familiar with a variety of wild fruits and nuts, including berries, chestnuts, and acorns. These might have been gathered and used in the feast, providing a sweet and nutritious complement to the other foods.
No Cranberries or Potatoes: Contrary to popular belief, cranberries and potatoes were not part of the first Thanksgiving. While cranberries grew in the region, they were not sweetened or cooked into sauces at the time, and potatoes were not introduced to the region until later.
The foods served at the feast were simple, reflective of both the hardships the Pilgrims had endured and the generosity of the Wampanoag. The shared meal was not just a celebration of the harvest but also a sign of cooperation in the face of adversity.
The True Nature of the Relationship Between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
The relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, as exemplified in the 1621 feast, was complex and, to some extent, pragmatic. While the two groups did share knowledge, resources, and food, the dynamics of their interaction were shaped by the larger context of colonialism and territorial expansion.
In the years following the first Thanksgiving, relations between the Wampanoag and the settlers began to sour. As more English colonists arrived in Plymouth and other parts of New England, tensions over land, resources, and cultural differences grew. The Pilgrims’ reliance on the Wampanoag for food and protection was short-lived as the English settlers began to encroach on Native lands and assert control over the region.
By 1675, just over 50 years after the first Thanksgiving, conflict had erupted between the Wampanoag and the English settlers in what became known as King Philip’s War. The war, named after Metacom (also known as King Philip), the son of Massasoit, resulted in the death of thousands of Native Americans and marked a turning point in the history of Native-colonial relations. The Wampanoag, along with other Indigenous tribes, were decimated by warfare, disease, and displacement, leading to the near-total collapse of their society.
The Myth of the First Thanksgiving and Its Impact
Over time, the story of the first Thanksgiving became mythologized in American culture. The story of Pilgrims and Native Americans coming together in peaceful celebration has been taught in schools, depicted in media, and ingrained in the collective consciousness of the United States. However, this oversimplified narrative glosses over the violence, displacement, and cultural erasure that followed the early years of European settlement.
For many Native Americans, the Thanksgiving holiday is a painful reminder of the long history of colonization, violence, and the loss of their land and way of life. The Thanksgiving myth does not adequately reflect the trauma that Indigenous peoples experienced in the wake of European colonization, nor does it address the lasting impact of those historical events.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement among Native Americans to reclaim the narrative surrounding Thanksgiving. Some choose to observe the day as a National Day of Mourning, reflecting on the history of colonization and honoring Indigenous ancestors who fought to protect their land and culture. This alternative observance is particularly poignant for Native peoples in New England, where the Wampanoag people once thrived and where the story of the first Thanksgiving is often reduced to a simplistic tale of friendship and cooperation.
Conclusion: Rethinking the First Thanksgiving
The real first Thanksgiving was not the peaceful and idyllic gathering of Pilgrims and Native Americans that we have come to associate with the holiday. It was, instead, a complex and multifaceted event shaped by survival, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. The Wampanoag people played a critical role in helping the Pilgrims survive their first harsh winter, and their participation in the 1621 feast was a sign of mutual cooperation—but it was also a recognition of the changing dynamics of the region.
As we reflect on the history of Thanksgiving, it is essential to acknowledge the broader context in which this event occurred. The holiday, as it is celebrated today, does not reflect the full history of Native peoples in America. To truly understand the meaning of the first Thanksgiving, we must look beyond the myth and consider the real history of Indigenous peoples in this land—one that is marked by resilience, survival, and the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition.
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