Final answer:
Squanto assisted the Pilgrims by teaching them farming techniques, serving as an interpreter, and helping establish trade and a peace treaty with local Native American tribes which was crucial for the survival and growth of the Plymouth colony.
Step-by-step explanation:
Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe, played a crucial role in assisting the Pilgrims after their arrival at Plymouth. Squanto's diverse support for the Pilgrims included a number of significant contributions. His knowledge of English, which he acquired after being kidnapped and sold into slavery before finding his way back to North America, made him an invaluable asset to the colonists.
Among his many forms of assistance, Squanto taught the Pilgrims farming techniques, such as using local herring to fertilize their crops. This horticultural advice led to the successful growth of maize and other crops, vital for the survival of the colony. Furthermore, Squanto's ability to communicate in English enabled him to act as an interpreter between the Pilgrims and the local Native American tribes, including the Wampanoag sachem Massasoit.
Thanks to Squanto's diplomatic efforts, he helped establish a treaty between Governor Carver and Massasoit in 1621, fostering peace and mutual assistance in times of war, a treaty that lasted twenty-four years. His efforts helped establish positive relationships and trade with neighboring Native American settlements, which was crucial for the Pilgrims' settlement to thrive in the New World.