Final answer:
The relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag changed from peaceful coexistence to open hostility over 50 years, culminating in King Philip's War, which was marked by betrayal, forced treaties, and cultural imposition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Change in Relationships Between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
The initial relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag was largely peaceful and based on mutual benefits such as trade and strategic alliances. However, within fifty years, this relationship deteriorated significantly due to several factors. The peace was first disrupted by the Pequot War in 1636-1638, which was followed by other conflicts like the expansion of Puritan settlements and the imposition of English laws and religion on Native lands and cultures.
Treaty of 1671 and Tensions Rising
In 1662, the relationship between the Wampanoag and the English colonists soured dramatically after the death of Wamsutta, the sachem of the Wampanoag, which led to suspicion of poisoning by the settlers. The subsequent treaty of 1671, which Metacom (King Philip) was forced to sign, further deepened hostilities. It required that the Wampanoag consult with colonists on land and warfare issues and subjected them to English laws.
Outbreak of King Philip's War
The breaking point came with the outbreak of King Philip's War (1675-1676), which was one of the most devastating conflicts between Native Americans and settlers in early American history. The war resulted in the destruction of numerous Puritan towns and significantly altered the English perspective of Native Americans, consolidating a new form of racial hatred that would characterize future relationships between the two groups.