THE NATIVE LEADER WHOSE HEAD WAS DISPLAYED FOR DECADES

English officials feared that Native leaders were organizing against the colonies.

Each side interpreted defensive actions by the other as evidence of hostile intentions.

Eventually, the system broke.

PART FOUR — THE DEATH OF JOHN SASSAMON

One of the most important events before the war was the death of John Sassamon, a Christianized Native man who had worked as an interpreter and intermediary between Native communities and the English.

Sassamon understood both worlds.

He could communicate in English and within Native society.