Exploring Thanksgiving Traditions

8th Grade45 minutes

Learning Objective

I can analyze the historical events and cultural traditions associated with Thanksgiving.

Key Concepts

Before the pilgrims, the Dawn Land was home to busy communities led by political leaders called sachems, who had been trading with Europeans for over 100 years.

The Separatists, later known as Pilgrims, fled to Holland to escape persecution by King James, then sought a patent to build a colony in America for religious and economic reasons.

The first Thanksgiving was a three-day harvest feast shared between the English and Wampanoag, but the peace was short-lived due to cultural and religious differences.

Practice Questions

This lesson includes 9 practice questions to reinforce learning.

View questions preview

1. According to the video, what was the primary reason the Separatists (later known as Pilgrims) initially left England?

2. Describe the state of the Wampanoag people prior to the arrival of the Mayflower.

3. Explain Squanto's role in the early relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, including details of his past.

...and 6 more questions

Educational Video

The First Thanksgiving: What Really Happened

Uncivil History

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