HIST3 Chapter Summary

Trigger agrees that “...the native American evidence was strongly colored by a desire to please Europeans...historical records are stereotyped in various ways that must be understood before they can be used reliably as historical documents” (Trigger, 1991, p. 1196). Trigger’s thorough article provides clear, specific situations that occurred during European contact, and the position they were affected in. For example, Natives believed the Europeans were“...supernatural spirits...Europeans...offered...supernatural interpretation in terms of native religious concepts” (Trigger, 1991, p. 1200). This situation is related to the romantic behavior of the Indians as the Europeans were arriving into their land. A historiographical example which relates and agrees to Trigger’s argument is the novel, Native Americans: Opposing Viewpoints, because it provides several different viewpoints rather than favoring only the

From the very first interaction, the social and political relations between the Native Americans and the Europeans had begun with much tension. Many Europeans came to the Americas with the intention of discovery. However, when it became apparent that these new lands were inhibited the motives changed, and then the natives were colonized, abused, and in many cases killed. From then and throughout the impending periods of time, the relations between the natives and the Europeans had a few points of mutual peacefulness, but were overall negative.

Anything can be a reason to escape from survival, as long as you’re willing to accept that journey. Cabeza de Vaca, A spanish conquistador, was second in command on Panfilo de Narvaez’ mission to explore the unknown regions of Florida, however after the mission went awry; Cabeza de Vaca found only himself and 3 other survivors to take a desperate journey to get to Mexico city. So with all odds against him, how did Cabeza de Vaca survive? Cabeza had something worth fighting for and he Respected Natives, became a Shaman, and used his wilderness skills just to keep his pride and life.

First contact between the Indigenous Americans and Europeans is perhaps one of the most impactful points in Native American history, setting an important precedent for the power dynamic during the next century. This initial contact between the two contrasting groups is one that can be described with words of awe, great ignorance, and perhaps unfortunate circumstances as it would be the precursor to the eventual exploitation of the American Indigenous people. Although there are few sources of Native record on the topic, with help from Reverend John Heckewelder’s account, The Arrival of the Dutch, it is possible to better understand the critical responses of the Indigenous people from first contact in Manhattan. Furthermore, analysis of how

Throughout the course of history there have been numerous accounts regarding Native American and European interaction. From first contact to Indian removal, the interaction was somewhat of a roller coaster ride, leading from times of peace to mini wars and rebellions staged by the Native American tribes. The first part of this essay will briefly discuss the pre-Columbian Indian civilizations in North America and provide simple awareness of their cultures, while the second part of this essay will explore all major Native American contact leading up to, and through, the American Revolution while emphasizing the impact of Spanish, French, and English explorers and colonies on Native American culture and vice versa. The third, and final, part of this essay will explore Native American interaction after the American Revolution with emphasis on westward expansion and the Jacksonian Era leading into Indian removal. Furthermore, this essay will attempt to provide insight into aspects of Native American/European interaction that are often ignored such as: gender relations between European men and Native American women, slavery and captivity of native peoples, trade between Native Americans and European colonists, and the effects of religion on Native American tribes.

The history of the United States with regards to its native population is inaccurate and assumes that the history of this country began when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock (Richter, pp. 4-5). With regards to the native people’s

To better understand the conflict between the Europeans and the Native Americans, one must closely examine the state of Europe’s economy at the time. Europe struggled with difficult conditions. This included poverty, violence and diseases like typhus, smallpox, influenza and measles. There were widespread famines which caused the prices of products to vary and made life very difficult in Europe. Street crimes and violence were prevalent in cities: “Other eruption of bizarre torture, murder, and ritual cannibalism were not uncommon”.2 Europeans

Cabeza was a very skillful man he knew how to survive, Cabeza would hollow out horse legs so that he could have his clean water in a container to drink from (Doc.B). When Cabeza went on his trek across Texas he went through some very harsh weather and landscape, having to cross mountains and drive yourself down a stream after a long day of walking (Doc.A). If cabeza didn't know how to cook meat properly, build a fire, gather materials, and find shelter he wouldn’t have made this trek as amazing as it (Doc.B). It took two years for the exploration of texas that means building rafts to cross rivers, finding the materials around to help heal or protect you from the wild Cabeza made the most of everything he had

The Walking Man The man who walked across Texas, better known as Cabeza De Vaca. Cabeza De Vaca was an a conquistador that was shipwrecked in Tampa Bay, Florida. He and 300 men leave the ships in search for treasure in the harsh elements of Florida. Cabeza De Vaca how did he survive? He survived because of his success as a healer, his respect for the Native Americans, and most importantly, his wilderness skills.

Imagine an explorer that is captured by Indians for two years and then have to example and find a way back to their home, or die. Well this is exactly what Cabeza de Vaca went through in his journey. Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer that landed on modern day Galveston Island, Texas, Cabeza de Vaca was also captured by Indians during his trip. Cabeza de Vaca escaped after two years of being captive. Cabeza de Vaca survived his journey because of his relationship he built with most Indian tribes, his prior knowledge, and his ability to know a lot of languages.

In the 16th century Europeans began to make appearances in North America. By the late 1700’s most tribal lands on the east coast were occupied by Europeans. In 1776 what we know now as the United States of America was founded. For many years to come Native American tribes fought against England, France, and

Cabeza De Vaca is a kind-hearted man who had respect for Native Americans and their culture. Before long, Cabeza befriended his captors and therefore was allowed to serve as a trader among Indian bands living within 150 miles of the Gulf Coast (Document B). He made peace with the Indians. One way he made peace was by saving the life of one of their people. He pulled an arrow out of his shoulder and gave him two stitches in order for him to live. This cure gave him a very great reputation among the Indian’s land (Document C). Cabeza also helped cure the sick and weak. Although the Spaniards executed those who were well, Cabeza De Vaca helped heal the sick instead of killing them. The Indians also came naked and barefoot, and with very little of anything (Document D). Cabeza De Vaca also showed respect toward the Indians because he returned the clothes they lended him while the Spaniards kept them (Document D). Cabeza had definite respect for the Indians and helped them although they had a rough past. In return the Indians let him keep his

The Indians were not convinced and communicated as much. That Cabeza was from the place where the sun rose, and the Spaniards were from the place where the sun set. How Cabeza had cured the sick, while the Spaniards killed those who were well; how Cabeza had come to them naked and barefoot while these Christians were well-dressed and had horses; and how de Vaca returned everything he was given and shared, while the Spaniards only wanted to steal everything they found and had no intention of giving to anyone else. This little incident was quite meaningful. It showed the Natives regard of Cabeza de Vaca and how they had high esteem of him while they thought the Spaniards were the opposite.

1. Discuss fully the consequences of contact between Europeans and Native Americans in the years after Columbus’ discovery of the New World.  How did Christian perspectives shape European attitudes towards the natives? Why was the outcome of contact doomed from the start?

Despite popular belief, the contact between Native Americans and Europeans did not just pertain to a casual encounter of the two groups but a more in depth experience. James Axtell in chapter 4 of his book titled Beyond 1492: Encounters in Colonial North America states that the purpose of his essay was to reveal the numerous ways Natives reacted and responded to the newcomers of Europe of the Columbus era. The reactions of the Natives consist of inviting the Europeans in to their lives and customs, learning the ways of the settlers, war and conflict towards them, beating them at their own game and purely avoiding them as a whole.