Final answer:
Intermarriage between the Puritans and the Indians could have been beneficial for fostering cooperation, cultural exchange, and reducing hostilities. It would have established stronger social bonds and potentially integrated societies, leading to a more peaceful coexistence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why it would have been a good idea for the Puritans to have intermarried with the Indians involves understanding the complex history of the relationship between the Puritans and Native American tribes such as the Narragansett and Mohegan.
The alliance between the Narragansett and Mohegan tribes with the Puritans against the Pequot was likely driven by preexisting regional conflicts and the opportunity to gain advantages over a common enemy. In addition, the Puritans' drive to settle and spread their religious practices in the New World, as stated in the charters for Plymouth and Massachusetts, involved the conversion of the Indians, which was expressed through missionary work like that of John Eliot.
Intermarriage could have served as another means to blend cultural and social frontiers, potentially reducing hostilities and fostering cooperation and better relations between the Puritans and the Native Americans. This would have led to a more integrated society and possibly reduced the likelihood of conflict, as it could have served as a conduit for cultural exchange and mutual understanding.