
What Happened at the First Thanksgiving?
5th Grade · Social Studies · 45 min
Lesson Preview
Learning Objective
I can describe the events that led to the first Thanksgiving.
- 1
At the start of the 17th century, southern New England was home to a variety of busy communities within several confederations known as the People of the First Light, who called their home the Dawn Land.
- 2
The Separatists, later known as Pilgrims, sought a patent from King James to build a colony in America, planning to profit from catching fish to repay their investors.
- 3
During New Plymouth's first year, Squanto plotted to overthrow Massasoit, but his plan was discovered, leading to further tensions between the settlers and the Wampanoag.


