Unit Central Question:
How did the cultural characteristics, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and economic conditions of the French, English, and Indians contribute to the growth of inter-group hostilities, fighting, and attacks in the late 17th and early 18th centuries?
Key Content Ideas Taught in this Lesson and Teacher Background
- Many conflicts occurred between the Native Americans and English. Hundreds of Native Americans ambushed Captain Lathrop and his men at Bloody Brook on September 18, 1675, resulting in many deaths. The English attacked an area north of Deerfield called “The Falls” on May 17, 1676. Mostly Native women, children, and the elderly were killed during this attack. For more information read: Teacher Background Essays: Bloody Brook, Massacre at Peskeompskut (Falls Fight)
Intended Learning Outcomes:
Understandings
Students will understand that:
- that the Bloody Brook attack of September 18, 1675, resulted in many deaths. On that day, Captain Lathrop and his men were ambushed by hundreds of Native Americans as they attempted to bring winter grain to safety south of Deerfield.
- that the English, under the leadership of Captain William Turner, attacked an area north of Deerfield called “The Falls.” Hundreds of Native women, children, and the elderly were attacked while sleeping, resulting in many deaths. This event happened in May of 1676.
- that the English and the Native Americans were both victims of attacks and aggressors.
- the ways these two attacks were carried out and their results.
- that accounts of the attacks were written by the English and their descendants. These accounts reflected their own bias. Discriminatory language was often used to describe the attacks in these accounts.
Skills
Students will be able to:
- read and understand selected excerpts from books.
- use what they have learned from their readings to help them understand historic events.
- analyze their sources and begin to understand the concept of bias and point of view in written historical records.
In Preparation for Teaching
Activities
Activity 1 – Deerfield as an Outpost
- Review with students the safety of Deerfield in relation to other English towns on the Map of New England from 1677 (from the Lesson “The Dedham Deed,” Activity 1.)
Activity 2 – “Bloody Brook Massacre” and the “Falls Fight” Research
- Divide students into small groups and assign half of the groups to study the Bloody Brook “Massacre”, and the other half to study the Falls Fight. Distribute the source readings accordingly.
- Tell students that they will be gathering information about the two attacks in small groups, using primary and secondary sources.
- Explain that groups should divide up the readings. Each student should skim his/her readings and highlight information about:
- how the battles were carried out (who did what and when)
- what the results of the battle were (e.g. how many people died or were wounded)
- the language used to describe the attacks and the attackers
- Distribute the appropriate Battle Summary Worksheet for each student to complete.
- Hold a class discussion to review findings. (Note: Help students to understand the implications of words like “fight” and “massacre”. Also, note that there are discrepancies in the numbers of attackers, dead, etc. This issue will be addressed in the Lesson “1704 Attack On Deerfield.”) Ask:
- In the Bloody Brook Massacre, how are the victims viewed?
- In the Falls Fight, how are the victims viewed?
- Compare the two charts that describe the victims and attackers in each case. Which chart shows stronger language? Why?
- The attack at Bloody Brook is known as a “massacre” and the attack at the “Falls” is known as a “fight”. Which attack had more victims? Which attack resulted in more deaths?
- In a dictionary, look up the definitions for “fight” and “massacre”. In each attack, did either victim group fight back?
- Should either attack be called a “massacre”? Why or why not?
Assessment
Use the Battle Summary Sheets to assess the degree to which students achieved the intended learning outcomes for this lesson.
