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WEDNESDAY HOT READ: THE REAL THANKSGIVING STORYBy Charlie SykesIn the middle of December 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, leaving behind the sinfulness of the “old world” to make a “new Jerusalem” in America. Three years later, in November 1623, they had a great feast thanking God for getting them through an earlier famine, and now for a bountiful crop.
What had created the earlier famine and then the bountiful crops? The story is told in the diary of Governor Bradford, who was one of the elders of that early Puritan colony.
At first, they decided to turn their back on all the institutions of the England that had been their home. This included the institution of private property, which they declared to be the basis of greed, averse, and selfishness. Instead, they were determined to live the “Platonic ideal” of collectivism, in which all work would be done in common, with the rewards of their collective efforts evenly divided among the colonists. Farming was done in common, as well as housekeeping and child raising. This was supposed to lead to prosperity and brotherly love.
But their experiment in collectivism did not lead to prosperity or brotherly love. Rather, it created poverty and envy and slothfulness among most of the members of this little society. Here is Bradford’s description of what communism created among the Pilgrims:
"The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Plato's and other ancients applauded by some of later times; that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this community was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For the young men, that were most able and fit for labor and service, did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense. The strong… had no more in division of victuals and clothes than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalized in labors everything else, thought it some indignity and disrespect unto them.
“And for men's wives to be commanded to do service for other men, as dressing their meat, washing their clothes, etc., they deemed it a kind of slavery, neither could many husbands well brook it. Upon the point all being to have alike, and all to do alike, they thought themselves in the like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut off those relations that God hath set amongst men, yet it did at least much diminish and take off the mutual respects that should be preserved amongst them… Let none object this is men's corruption, and nothing to the course itself. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in His wisdom saw another course fitter for them.”
For two years the harvest time failed to bring forth enough to feed the people. Indeed, many starved and many died of famine. Faced with this disaster, the elders of the colony gathered, Governor Bradford tells us, and decided that another year, and they would surely all die and disappear in the wilderness.
Instead, they decided to divide the property and fields of the colony, and gave each family a piece as their own. Whatever they did not use for their own consumption, they had the right to trade away to their neighbors for something they desired instead.
Now, instead of sloth, envy, resentment, and anger among the colonists, there was a great turnaround in their activities. Industry, effort, and joy were now seen in practically all that the men, women and children did. Bradford writes:
They had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn; which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression…By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the faces of things were changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.”Indeed, their bounty was so great, that they had enough to not only trade among themselves but also with the neighboring Indians in the forest. In November 1623, they had a great feast to which they also invited the Indians. They prepared turkey and corn, and much more, and thanked God for bringing them a bountiful crop. They, therefore, set aside a day of “Thanksgiving.”
So this Thursday, when we all sit down with our families and friends to enjoy the turkey and the trimmings, let us not forget that we are celebrating the establishment and triumph of capitalism and the spirit of enterprise in America!
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Monday, Nov 30 at 8:43 PM Paul wrote ...
Actually, I think Obama is more of a Fascist (Government takeover of private sector industry and finance) than Socialist, but that may be splitting hairs. The Europeans are moving toward less Socialism/Fascism as they have seen what a failure that has been. Communism was a disaster for Russia. Yeah, "communal living" will bring back our economy (ha ha)- tax cuts on individuals and businesses will rejuvenate the economy, ala Reagan. Sorry about the indigenous people - it was mostly diseases
32878521 Flag for moderationMonday, Nov 30 at 6:59 PM Karl Marx wrote ...
Paul, check your eyesight. Its capitalism that's a global failure and spiraling in terminal decay. Indigenous people of America did practice communal living and the mass murder of these people was committed to steal their land and natural resources. This story was laid on the ash-heap of history for capitalist development. If you think Obama is a socialist, watch White Power in Black Face,(http://uhurunews.com/video/play?resource_name=barack-obama-white-power-in-black-face-part-1-video)
32874664 Flag for moderationSunday, Nov 29 at 9:48 PM Paul wrote ...
Sorry, Karl, you and your Communist theories were laid on the ash-heap of History quite a while ago - too bad Obama et.al. didn't get the memo
32827977 Flag for moderationSunday, Nov 29 at 2:32 PM Leo of the Bohicans wrote ...
Karl Marx, thank you for that enlightening link. Do you have any links to the anorexia outbreak in the 30's and 40's Ukraine and the liberation of all freedom loving people in 1956 Hungary?
32813509 Flag for moderationSaturday, Nov 28 at 8:00 AM Karl Marx wrote ...
This is a dangerously misleading post. I find it amazing how far off the participants of this thread are on not only the history of Thanksgiving but also their distorted views about socialism. For a more accurate reading of this history, please read Native Blood: The Myth of Thanksgiving. The transcript and podcast link can be found between the brackets... {http://mikeely.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/native-blood-the-myth-of-thanksgiving-2/}
32768799 Flag for moderationFriday, Nov 27 at 3:29 PM KT wrote ...
Hank, thanks for the correction - I was not intending to be cynical. I grew up knowing the real Thanksgiving story and assumed, until a few years ago, that everyone else also knew the true story. Let's pass on the truth to our families and friends.
32750924 Flag for moderationFriday, Nov 27 at 11:34 AM Mr. Myagi wrote ...
Charlie-san, we thank you for telling true story of Thanksgiving. When speak truth, no defense necessary.
32743511 Flag for moderationFriday, Nov 27 at 6:17 AM Kenny G wrote ...
Communism makes me want to squanto!
32733731 Flag for moderationThursday, Nov 26 at 12:35 PM Hank wrote ...
Sorry if I misread KT's post as cynicism - I also didn't hear about the "true story of Thanksgiving" till a few years ago (and I'm in my 50's). Anyway, re-reading Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation made me realize what a pro-Capitalist, anti-Environmentalist Abe was - he gives thanks for the advance of industry, including coal-mining! Wow! - Obama better stop comparing himself to such a right-wing whack-job!
32712674 Flag for moderationThursday, Nov 26 at 8:25 AM BV wrote ...
Like Amy P, I am 28 and also have not heard this story. As is still taught today, I was taught Thanksgiving Day was a thanks from the Pilgrims to the Indians. I plan on sharing this on my facebook and with my family today.
32703912 Flag for moderationThursday, Nov 26 at 12:23 AM Hank wrote ...
Despite KT's cynicism, yes, this is the true story of Thanksgiving, which included the Pilgrims' Thankfulness to God, as well as Thankfulness for their Freedom to pursue their own individual prosperity. I would also recommend reading Lincoln's original Thanksgiving Proclamation, establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday - it is a humbling document, acknowledging our gratitude to God for all our blessings, even in our difficult times of war.
32697454 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 10:29 PM KT wrote ...
A great article. Socialism was discovered not to work almost four hundred years ago, but certian politicians still can't seem to get it. The article also states who the thanks is to be given to - God. Amy P., sadly, you must have gone to public school. I learned all of this in 4th grade. I just heard today that they're teaching that Thankgiving is a reference to the Pilgrims thanking the Indians. It's very dangerous to lie about history. Thank you for presenting the truth, Mr. Sykes.
32695074 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 3:17 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Anon 11:15a.m.I agree with you.The people have turned all the holidays into one big money maker.Use to be you never started to see Christmas advertised till after Thanksgiving.And you had the day before Christmas for marked down items.What I hope and pary is that we do ot forget what Thanksgiving and Christmas really stands for,kuddos to Charlie for such a wonderfull artical.
32680414 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 1:19 PM Kenny G wrote ...
Pinkohontas?
32674556 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 12:20 PM fmff to Anon wrote ...
Anon, my mis-guided friend. Oh, how I think that you could really use a big hug and a real friend to talk to. Everyone chooses whether to be expoited by the commercialism or not. Christ remains forever while the material things turn to dust...my wish for you is that big red Tonka truck that you never got is firmly in your hands this Christmas morn, and also for a very happy New Year.
32671004 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 11:50 AM MADDOG wrote ...
Happy Thanksgiving Anonymous. Even though you probably won't be. Happy that is.
32669184 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 11:25 AM conservative cont. wrote ...
A and shouldn't have their grade lowered to help someone bring their grade up. So what started to happen in this "spread the wealth" environment? The Students with A's said why should i work so hard to have my efforts be averaged and lowerd to help bring someone else's grade up. So the grades started to get lower and lower! Capitalism makes us all work harder and strive to be better. We are blessed to live in this Country may God continue to bless the U.S.A. Happy Thanksgiving!
32667521 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 11:14 AM conservative wrote ...
a professor gave an example where he was going to try socialism in the classroom. It worked by "spreading the wealth" to all students in the classroom. Now how would you spread wealth in the classroom? Simple, he wanted everystudent to do well so he averaged all the grades so that every student would do well. The students that had A's would help those with D's, which resulted in an overall average grade for everyone. Soon students with A's started to get upset. They felt they earned that
32666956 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 11:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...
Christmas has already been turned into a holiday all about capitalism. So why not Thanksgiving too? Easter's next.
32666809 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 10:17 AM TWP wrote ...
Socialism - the perfect system for perfect people. When every person values others' interests equally to his own it's great. Real people aren't like that, so socialism in real life means compulsion. Who does the compelling? People of course, and the requirement for perfect people is replaced with the presumption of perfect leaders. But their temptations and opportunities for abuse are far greater, and the probability of exploiters ending up in control approaches 100%. Night follows day.
32663344 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 10:10 AM Amy P. wrote ...
Thanks for posting this. 27 years old and I've never heard this story. Hope all of you have a very Happy, Blessed Thanksgiving.
32662864 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 9:41 AM Ron Borowski wrote ...
Thanks Charlie! May you all have a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving Day. May God continue to bless you all and may God continue to bless America.
32661116 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 9:31 AM Paul M. wrote ...
I'm having a second helping at dinner this Thursday - I worked hard for it and deserve it! Happy Thanksgiving to all - that desire & deserve it.
32660521 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 8:56 AM Jim wrote ...
Charlie, thanks for sharing. My wife's a descendant of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins so Plymouth Plantation stories--especially the more hidden ones--are always interesting to read. Or as the book says, "He who does not work shall not eat." Happy Thanksgiving, all!
32658194 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 8:12 AM karliots wrote ...
In America, you get the best of both worlds...a capitalistic society combined with the American virtue of generosity. However, generosity means voluntarily helping the less fortunate, not being forced to. Happy Thaksgiving to all.
32655414 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 7:56 AM fmff wrote ...
HEAR....HEAR!! Makes me get up every morning with a Purpose (yes, I meant to capitalize...hint to my socialist bretheren.) I have much to be thankful for, even in these most trying of times worldwide....I hope all of you do as well. Happy Thankksgiving and Merry Christmas!
32654611 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 7:49 AM Jeff K. wrote ...
Socialism failed then and it fails now. God bless the American ideals that made this country great.
32654229 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 6:52 AM MADDOG wrote ...
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!! And I mean everyone.
32651459 Flag for moderationWednesday, Nov 25 at 6:18 AM KM wrote ...
Isn't it amazing what happens when you have to take care of yourself rather to the best of your ability than "rely on the kindness of strangers"? Possible starvation and death is a great motivation to be industrious - just wish the dependant crowd would get this concept. Happy Thanksgiving and special thanks to those who ensure our freedoms to be able to share our thoughts in this and many other ways!
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