History books, the media and the traditional thinking is 90% nonsense. Perhaps this post can reveal what really started it all. It’s been authenticated many times. But, American’s would prefer the fairy tale that exists because forces have forged this tall tale out of ignorance or political reasons. The actual story doesn’t fit present day media views. Thanksgiving day is far different from what we all have been led to believe.
During the British Empire days, the King was everything. The State was to be the end all of all end all’s. No other entity was to interfere. Sort of the “All Hail Caesar” mentality. God? The Almighty? Forgetaboutit. The problem was many of the states subjects were religious. They had no choice but to go along or lose their life potentially. But, there came a time when many believers fled their homeland. Our pilgrims mostly went to Holland. After eleven years, still feeling unsettled, they embarked upon a plan to flee to the new world across the Atlantic ocean. However, without funds they took on sponsors who hoped to profit eventually. Risky yes. But, money was no object to many of them.
As these forty hearty souls prepared to leave to a new world they signed a pact saying that when they arrived everyone would share equally in everything. Their leader forced the issue upon everyone. Seemed like a comforting idea at the time. With their strong conviction in their religious faith, off they went on this noble but extremely dangerous venture. Religious freedom was at the heart of everything.
After their long journey they landed on the shores of New England. It was November and cold. Think about it for a moment. No Motel 6 ready for them. No warm home to go to. No shelter from the cold. Food getting low. No Indians helping. Half of them died that winter including the wife of their leader. Absolute misery.
With the coming of Spring, the 20 survivors were visited by local Indian tribesmen. The Indians curious, but better yet, friendly. They taught the new settlers how to plant corn, how to fish, and essentially taught them how to survive in this wilderness. But, with time it became apparent there was a self defeating problem. Per human nature, some of the pilgrims were simply lazy and would not give the effort others were giving. Why should they? They knew with their pact they would get the same as everyone else. That was the agreement. So the results of their farming, fishing and game hunting was not as abundant as it should have been. It is unclear as to who forced the change. What was clear was the pact they felt comforting at first was now working against them. So majority agreed everyone would work for themselves and reap their own rewards. The results were amazing. Suddenly production of food became abundant. So plentiful that they now set up trading posts with the Indians. It was becoming apparent that success was at hand. Even better than they had hoped. Eventually, word of their success began to spread back to their original homeland and thus the pilgrimage to America began. The foundation of America was being cemented. A new country began to form.
The roots of their success made our earliest settlers grateful. Grateful to their God that brought them to this new land. It was then that their foundation of religious beliefs led to the first Thanksgiving. These first Americans wanted to share their joy and show respect to the Almighty. It was this thinking that led them to invite Indians to share in their respect for what God had done for them. So yes, the Indians helped the pilgrims. But, the first Thanksgiving was not to thank their helpers. They were actually benefactors. It was to give thanks to God.
George Washington, as President, issued a proclamation to celebrate this day. As later, John Adams and James Madison did the same. But, it was not until 1863, the very heart of our civil war, that President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday. A thanks to God is the essence of this wonderful day.
Hopefully, to my faithful followers, one sees the elements of the pilgrim’s early triumph as what made America great. It was that system of early capitalism that grew to make American’s develop the highest standard of living the world has ever known. It was, and still is, labor and business that made America great. Not government. To those who want to remake the USA more to their liking remember those most famous words, “Ask not what your Country can do for you. But, what you can do for your Country.” President John F. Kennedy.
A Happy Thanksgiving to all from jacksjargon.com