King Philip's War (1675–1678) marked the culmination of decades of colonial encroachment and Indigenous grievances. This brutal conflict not only decided the sovereignty of the Pokanoket people but also shaped the future of Indigenous resistance against English domination.

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Massasoit Metacom, known to the English as King Philip, forged a pan-tribal alliance among several southern New England tribes to confront the colonial threat. However, fear and self-interest led some Indigenous groups to abstain from or oppose the struggle, fracturing the unity needed for success.

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The war ranks among the deadliest in American history relative to population, leaving devastation on both sides. Metacom’s death in 1676 and the subsequent defeat of the Pokanoket people resulted in far-reaching consequences: many were enslaved, forced into servitude, or displaced as refugees into territories beyond English control.

 

Determined to erase the Pokanokets from history, the English oppressed those who identified with the name for decades. To endure, members of the Pokanoket Tribe concealed their identities, navigating oppression while safeguarding their heritage for future generations—much like other Indigenous peoples in post-war New England.