Off the Radar: Plymouth — A Colony Shaped by Climate
Hosted by Emily Gracey | Release Date: November 26, 2024

Introduction

In the Thanksgiving season, many reflect on the Pilgrims' historic journey aboard the Mayflower and their first harvest celebration in 1621. However, as Meteorologist Emily Gracey explores in the "Plymouth: A Colony Shaped by Climate" episode of Off the Radar, weather played a pivotal role in shaping the entire Pilgrims' experience—from their departure from England to their arduous first winter in the New World.

Section 1: Rebecca Fraser — Historical Perspective on the Pilgrims and Weather

Guest: Rebecca Fraser, Author and Historian

a. The Pilgrims' Background and Motivations
Rebecca Fraser delves into the diverse backgrounds of the Pilgrims, noting that while they were predominantly English, some hailed from more liberal regions like Leiden in the Netherlands. "They were mainly English, but they'd gone to live in Leiden because it was a more liberal country," Fraser explains (03:49). Their primary motivation for leaving England was tied to religious freedom, exacerbated by the harsh climatic conditions of the Little Ice Age, which fostered societal hardships and shifts in attitudes, including towards the church.

b. Impact of the Little Ice Age on the Pilgrims' Decision to Emigrate
Fraser highlights the influence of the Little Ice Age, a period marked by significant cooling, on the Pilgrims' decision to seek a new life. "The Little Ice Age is pretty important. It's the first time you really get all these lovely snow scenes in Dutch paintings," she states (04:20). The prolonged cold and poor harvests during this era created economic and social pressures, driving the Pilgrims to establish a colony where they could practice their beliefs freely.

c. The Mayflower Voyage and Weather-Related Challenges
The journey aboard the Mayflower was fraught with weather-induced difficulties. Fraser recounts how the ship encountered severe storms, leading to structural damages like a cracked mast, which nearly forced them to turn back to England. "They are on the Mayflower ... the waves are 100 foot high... they're going to have to turn back to England," she narrates (06:42). The decision to land in Provincetown was a direct response to these harsh maritime conditions.

d. The Harsh First Winter in New England
Upon landing, the Pilgrims faced an unexpectedly brutal winter. Fraser points out that while historical narratives depict the winter as exceptionally severe, tree ring data suggests it was relatively average for the Little Ice Age period. "They were just unprepared for what they were going to experience," Fraser explains (11:25). The lack of proper shelter, insufficient clothing, and inadequate supplies led to widespread illness and significant loss of life, with about 50% of the settlers perishing during the first winter (13:38).

e. The First Thanksgiving and Relations with Native Americans
Despite the initial hardships, the Pilgrims' resilience led to the first Thanksgiving in 1621, a momentous occasion marked by cooperation with the Wampanoag tribe. "Massasoit and 90 Braves come and feast with us... that's the first Thanksgiving," Fraser recounts (14:36). This event underscored the importance of alliances and mutual support between the settlers and the Native Americans, laying the foundation for a symbiotic relationship.

f. Historical Documentation and Reconstruction of Events
Fraser emphasizes the abundance of contemporary documents that provide a detailed account of the Pilgrims' experiences. Diaries, letters, and official records, such as William Bradford's Plymouth Plantation, offer invaluable insights into the climatic challenges and the settlers' responses. "Through contemporary documents you can piece together what's what we would consider to be authentic as opposed to the myth," she states (16:28).

g. Alternate Histories: What If Weather Had Been Different?
Exploring hypothetical scenarios, Fraser speculates on how American history might have diverged had the Pilgrims not been forced by adverse weather to settle in New England. "If they had continued their journey and landed in Virginia, how would American history have been different?" she muses (18:44). Fraser suggests that the unique cultural and religious landscape of New England, characterized by Puritan roots, might not have emerged, potentially altering the region's development and its role in American history.

Section 2: Kurt Steger — Paleoclimatological Insights on the Little Ice Age

Guest: Dr. Kurt Steger, Paleoclimatologist from Paul Smith College, New York

a. Understanding the Little Ice Age
Dr. Kurt Steger provides a scientific perspective on the Little Ice Age, clarifying that it was not an actual ice age but a period of significant cooling. "The Little Ice Age was a natural cold time, nowhere near as severe or long as a real ice age," he explains (22:30). This period, spanning roughly from the 1500s to the 1800s, saw notable climatic changes that had profound impacts on societies worldwide.

b. Methods of Reconstructing Historical Climate
Steger outlines the various methods used to reconstruct past climates, including analyzing tree rings, ice cores, and historical documents. "Trees grow differently depending on the conditions in the growing season... there's also written documents from that time period," he notes (24:34). These interdisciplinary approaches allow scientists to piece together accurate climate histories, even in the absence of direct meteorological records.

c. The Little Ice Age's Impact on New England and the Pilgrims
Focusing on New England, Steger explains that the climatic conditions during the Pilgrims' settlement were not unusually severe within the context of the Little Ice Age. "Compared to now, certainly it was colder," he states (23:34). The settlers, accustomed to the milder climates of England and the Netherlands, struggled to adapt to the harsher and unpredictably cold weather of New England, exacerbating their initial hardships.

d. Global Variability of the Little Ice Age
Steger emphasizes that the Little Ice Age was not a uniform global phenomenon. "It was patchy. So it affected different parts of the world differently," he remarks (27:34). While regions like the North Atlantic experienced colder temperatures, others faced varying conditions such as increased droughts in East Africa. This variability underscores the complexity of global climate systems and their localized impacts.

e. Causes of the Little Ice Age
Addressing the causes, Steger identifies reduced solar activity and volcanic eruptions as primary contributors. "Most climate scientists think variation in the sun's output had something to do with it," he explains (28:19). The interplay between these natural factors led to the extended period of cooling that characterized the Little Ice Age.

f. Modern Climate Change in Context
Steger contrasts the Little Ice Age with contemporary climate change, highlighting that today’s warming trend is driven predominantly by human activities. "We've got lots of evidence the Little Ice Age was well finished before the warming happened due to the fossil fuels," he asserts (30:24). He addresses common misconceptions, reassuring listeners that the current climate shift is not part of a natural cycle but a result of anthropogenic influences.

Section 3: Integrating Historical and Scientific Perspectives

Through the combined insights of historian Rebecca Fraser and paleoclimatologist Dr. Kurt Steger, the episode paints a comprehensive picture of how climatic factors were instrumental in shaping the Pilgrims' journey and the establishment of Plymouth Colony. The interplay between historical accounts and scientific data underscores the multifaceted impact of weather and climate on human events.

Conclusion

"Plymouth: A Colony Shaped by Climate" offers listeners an in-depth exploration of the often-overlooked role of weather in one of America's foundational stories. By intertwining historical narratives with scientific analysis, Emily Gracey provides a nuanced understanding of how climatic conditions influenced the Pilgrims' decisions, struggles, and ultimate success in the New World. This episode not only enriches our appreciation of historical events but also highlights the enduring significance of climate in shaping human history.

Notable Quotes

• "They thought it would be like that here too. And it's not." — Kurt Steger (22:34)
• "Massasoit and 90 Braves come and feast with us... that's the first Thanksgiving." — Rebecca Fraser (14:36)
• "We've got lots of evidence the Little Ice Age was well finished before the warming happened due to the fossil fuels." — Kurt Steger (30:24)

Further Resources

• Rebecca Fraser's Book: The Mayflower, the Families, the Voyage and the Founding of America—available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
• Follow Up: Listen to more episodes of Off the Radar on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Share the episode with friends interested in American or climate history and consider leaving a review to support the show.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript sections provided and are indicated in parentheses throughout the summary.