In the northeast of North America, the land was divided between six tribes: the Wampanoag, the Narraganset, the Mohegan, the Nipmuck, the Mattabesic, and the Massachusett. By the 5th Century AD relations were souring, and resulted in the Wampanoag War. The five other tribes united against the Wampanoag, and during 428 defeated them and took their land, only leaving the island of Canopache. Overpopulation of the island threatened the existence of the Wampanoag, and for many years suffered from food storages. Something had to be done before the Wampanoags were wiped out.