Final answer:
The English had a complex relationship with the Algonquins, characterized by conflict and strategic alliances. They engaged in violent confrontations over land and trade, yet also sought alliances like the Covenant Chain to counter French and other Native American influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The feelings of the English towards the Algonquins and other Native American groups were complex and evolved over time, often reflecting the challenges of colonial expansion, land acquisition, and resource competition. Initially, the English engaged in frequent conflicts with Indigenous tribes such as the Powhatan Confederacy and later, the Algonquian tribes, with disputes often arising over land, trade, and cultural differences. During King Philip's War, tensions escalated due to the English usurpation of land and unfair trade practices. The English also found themselves in conflicts such as Kieft's War, using violent tactics similar to those in the Pequot War to subdue the Algonquians.
However, the English also sought strategic alliances when beneficial. They formed the Covenant Chain with the Iroquois to help counter French influences and Algonquian power, signifying a more diplomatic approach to some Native American relations, as seen with the 1684 Treaty of Albany. This complex web of alliances, wars, and treaties reflects the English's varying strategies and attitudes toward Native Americans during the colonial period.
It is clear that the English perspective was not monolithic but varied depending on the context, with some viewing Native Americans as allies, while others regarded them as obstacles to colonial objectives such as land expansion and resource control.