Final answer:
Bradford thought Squanto helped the colonists because of his unique position to facilitate a strategic alliance between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, providing essential agricultural knowledge and aiding in important negotiations that resulted in a lasting peace treaty.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Bradford, the Pilgrim leader who documented the early days of the Plymouth Colony, thought Squanto provided help to the colonists because Squanto saw the opportunity to secure a beneficial alliance between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe. Squanto's knowledge of the English language and his previous experience in England made him a valuable asset to both groups.
He provided agricultural advice, such as using local herring to fertilize soil, which helped the Pilgrims to grow maize successfully. Moreover, his interpreting skills were crucial for negotiations, leading to a peace treaty between Governor Carver and Massasoit that lasted for twenty-four years.
According to Bradford, this treaty stipulated that neither side would harm the other and that they would provide mutual aid in times of war, demonstrating a level of trust and cooperation that was essential for the colony's survival.