King Phillip's Wars

Gr 9 Up—King Phillip's War, named after the Wampanoag leader (Metacom), began in Plymouth colony in 1675 and spread throughout New England. It was the bloodiest war in American history, with a per capita casualty rate twice that of the Civil War and seven times that of World War II. Half of the New England towns were attacked, and 20 percent of the Native Americans living in New England were killed. This film provides a low-key, but informative narration of this bloody conflict, which took place a full 100 years before the start of the American Revolution and was caused by the Native Americans' frustration over the continuing loss of their land and natural resources. Eric Schultz and Michael Tougias, authors of a book on the conflict, narrate the DVD and provide commentary, along with present day Native American historians. Some vocabulary may have to be explained. Maps are effectively used to show the locations of the conflict. Video re-creations, many of which were filmed at Plimoth Plantation, are interspersed throughout. The narration also includes excerpts of primary source material written by English settlers, including one by a woman who was captured by the Wampanoag Indians and later released. The DVD is divided into brief segments, each one clearly labeled.—David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT