After the Pequot War in 1637, the fate of the Pequot people was tragic. The war, fought between the Pequot tribe and a coalition of English colonists and their Native American allies, resulted in a significant loss for the Pequot.
Following the war:
1. **Massacre at Mystic:** The most infamous event was the Mystic Massacre in May 1637, where English and allied Native forces attacked a Pequot village at Mystic, Connecticut. Hundreds of Pequot men, women, and children were killed or captured.
2. **Enslavement and Servitude:** Many Pequot survivors were sold into slavery, both in New England and the West Indies. Others became indentured servants.
3. **Displacement:** The remaining Pequot population faced displacement from their ancestral lands. The few who managed to escape the violence were scattered, and their tribal identity was severely disrupted.
4. **Loss of Tribal Sovereignty:** The Pequot as a distinct tribe lost much of their political and territorial autonomy. The remnants of the tribe were absorbed into other Native communities or assimilated into colonial society.
The Pequot War had a lasting impact on the Pequot people, contributing to the decline of their cultural identity and the dispersion of their population. The consequences of the war reflected the broader patterns of European colonization in North America, which often resulted in the dispossession, displacement, and marginalization of indigenous peoples.