What conflict resulted in the near destruction of the Pequot tribe in the 1630s?

The Pequot War, which took place from 1636 to 1638, was a significant conflict that nearly led to the annihilation of the Pequot tribe. This war arose from increasing tensions between the Pequot tribe and English settlers, as well as competing interests over land and trade.

The war began when a Pequot attacked and killed a group of English traders, leading to a retaliation from the colonial forces, including the Massachusetts Bay Colony and their Native allies, such as the Mohegan and Narragansett tribes. The conflict escalated, culminating in several pivotal battles, including the brutal Mystic Massacre in 1637, where a set of English allies attacked a Pequot fort, resulting in the deaths of many Pequot men, women, and children.

The consequences of the Pequot War were dire for the Pequot tribe; they faced significant losses in both population and territory. By the end of the conflict, the Pequot were effectively defeated, their numbers severely reduced, and their land devastated, marking a crucial moment in the broader context of colonial expansion and Native American displacement in New England.

In contrast, King Philip's War occurred later, in the 1670s, and involved different tribes opposing English expansion.