Native American culture has impacted America in many ways. Just some of these ways include agriculture, language, and governmental ideas.
About four hundred years ago, when the pilgrims came to America, they met Squanto. After it became obvious that they were going to struggle to farm, Squanto, a native American who spoke English, taught them all about how to successfully farm in their homeland (Amenlnckx). Without Squanto and his tribe, the Pilgrims would have likely starved that winter. Native American culture is probably best known for its agricultural ideas. The indigenous people of North America have a deep respect and knowledge for the land. They care for every living thing, and believe that everything has a purpose. Not only do they
…show more content…
As shown in the Squanto and the Pilgrims story, they have many helpful agricultural ideas. As clearly said above, if the pilgrims did not learn to farm, or at worst not survive, we might not have the same resources of economy.
Not only have the indigenous people of America impacted us agriculturally, but also by increasing our abilities to successfully communicate with others. About 400 years ago when early settlers moved to America they came across Native Americans. When communicating with them they picked up many terms such as animal names, places, and objects. Many states and cities in the U.S. are named after , or are somewhat related to, Native American tribes. Of course, these are relatively important, however, one necessary form of communication used that certainly impacted America was Sign Language. These indigenous people made clear
…show more content…
Each Native American tribe, also known as a band or a nation, is practically independent (Gibson). They have their own laws, government, security, and services. This government was strictly democratic, and all of their meetings were open to everyone (Bjornland 50). Many Native American tribal systems were, or are, based on written law. This amazing culture is the earliest surviving governmental tradition in the world that is based on peace (Bjornland 50). Decisions are made by consensus, or a general agreement, and punishments could be death, depending on the seriousness of the conflicts (Bjornland 50). The confederation, a group of magic Americans that worked together for the greater good, was formed due to the fact that the Native Americans were tired of tribal welfare (Bjornland 50). The League of Nations (also known as the confederation) consisted of each nation running its own affairs and acting as a whole when dealing with outsiders. These ideas for a successful government have certainly rubbed off on America. Many people would agree that the United States government is also based on peace. When faced with the choice of war or trying to negotiate peace, America will (most) always choose peace. Without this firm belief in trying to keep the peace, and government, America would be a war country, and could be in
In comparison to the Europeans, depending on the region, a lot of Native Americans were largely migrant people who followed resources as needed. Tribes would stay in one area for as long as they could utilize whatever was in season and then moved forward once the land’s resources had nothing left to offer. Hunting and gathering forced tribes to relocate quite often due to the different seasons’ impact on game and plants. Even though agriculture was not a reliable source of sustainability for these people, Indians often found ways to make use of whatever herbs and plants grew around them. Low environmental impact and zero waste are two very important values to Indians as they have a very spiritual connected to the earth. In other parts of the country, Indians used agriculture quite a lot and even found ways to make their crops last through the winter. Some tribes established themselves fairly prominently in one area, but a key difference between their establishment and the English’s was their inherent view that no matter what they yielded from the land, it was not their property to claim forever. The Native Americans really
Native Americans, or Indians, as they were mistakenly called, have been the “pathetic footnotes to the main course of American history” (Axtell 981). But James Axtell, the author of Colonial America without the Indians: Counterfactual Reflections, would beg to differ. He says that instead, Indians played a key role in making America great. James Murray gives another term to describe America’s greatness: America’s “exceptionalism.” Throughout his article Axtell makes many points as to why Indians played a vital role in “American Exceptionalism”. He even says that America wouldn’t have been colonized nearly as soon if the Indians were gone, because Columbus would know he was not in the Indies and move on. So because they simply existed in the first place, Axtell says they were significant in the history of our country. Furthermore, he says Indians specifically played a vital role in the exceptionality of America’s early economy, culture, and historical events and places.
This is the culminating project for the Native American unit. You will review what you have learned in this unit and create a picture book.
Native Americans, also called Indians, have inhabited the Americas for hundreds of years, allowing their culture to grow, diversify, and change. Even though many of these Native Americans lived on different sides of the content, and most had little to connection with the others, the natives developed myths that related to each other in a similar spiritual sense, and moral value, through the universal unconscious.
Religious beliefs varied between tribes, but there was a widespread belief in a Great Spirit who created the earth, and who pervaded everything. The constitution of the Iroquois stated every time assembly is held, “ they shall make an address and offer thanks to the earth, to the streams of water, to the animals”. Native American believe everything on earth was given by the Mother Earth, so they must pay respect to their surroundings. In Natives’ culture, there is no such thing of I am first because I am this because they are all relying on one another to sustain life. According to the Digital History, Native American lifestyle was “ free from all the traditional constraints of civilized life-- such as private property or family bonds” . The natives had never of a thought of themselves as owners. They believed that everything on earth was gifted by the Mother Earth, which explains why Indians have a great respect for nature. This concept has proven to us that these Native American were not self- centered. They don’t take everything for granted. They appreciated every little thing around
The impact of the development of agriculture on Native American society is that it brought prosperity and stability. Also that these economic development fostered the development of permanent settlements.
Native Americans were the first environmentalists and horticulturists. They were the spirit world was embodied in every part of the natural world, whether animal, vegetable or mineral. Survived by being big game hunters and/or fisherman. They would settle in different regions and form independent tribes with distinct Indian cultures. According to Bible Scripture, by 1492 there were over 300 Native American languages. Native Americans left so much history for people today and how America got started. Many people don't realize how much the Indians achieved during the time.
Native American culture originated in some parts North America. These countries are known as the United States of America and some parts of Canada. In the United States, there are 6.6 million Native Americans, which form about 2.0 percent of the population (Bureau, 2016). Europe had realized there were about 50 million people already living the “new world” and these people were called Native Americans. Native Americans were originally called Indians, but later through history they formed a new name. These people were called this because of them being native to the “new world” and the American part came after the colonist named the United States. Throughout history, Native Americans believed that using raw material in nature was the best way to provide for their people. Their culture thought no part of an animal should go to waste. They would eat the meat, use the skin for clothing, and make jewelry from the bones. Over the years a lot of their culture and customs were lost due to conforming with society. Their languages were referred to as “Indigenous Languages” because of them being extremely complicated and diverse. Some important factors that help understand the foundation of Native American culture are their rituals/practices, death ceremonies, holidays, family, and stereotypes.
In reality, if it were not for the Native Americans, the Pilgrims would have been wiped out in a short period of time. The first relationship dealt with economics. In the Pilgrims first winter, many died from disease and starvation because they had no idea about how bad the winters are in New England. They didn’t understand how to grow crops successfully until the Native Americans helped them out, resulting in less death from starvation. Since the Pilgrims were in need of food fast in order to survive, they would have no choice but to steal corn from the group called the Nausets. “The snow made it difficult to find the corn, but eventually they located 10 catches of it.” They educated the Pilgrims about some of their practices such as how to build warm and protected shelters. But in a short period of time this ended up hurting the Native Americans. There was a native man by the name of Squanto who did not mind helping out the Pilgrims at all. Squanto showed the Pilgrims everything he knew about building crops, fishing, building shelters and basically how to survive. Squanto was a very talented eel fisherman and he provided eels to the Pilgrims so that they would have something to eat. “That night the Pilgrims at the eels with relish, praising them…” He also explained to the Pilgrims that if you plant fish in the soil next to your crops, the soil will get richer and the plants will grow better. Even though the Native Americans
Native American, or American Indians, have a rich culture comprised of struggle, strife and success. For this paper, i will discuss the Native American Culture and it's history.
Contact with the Native American population changed those Europeans who settled in the Americas. Europeans who came used the numerous natives as labor workers to build their powerful empires like the Spaniards. They also used the populations to provide food and shelter, and even
The early Native American tribes had a huge influence on the United States of America. They saved the early European settlers from death and starvation by teaching them their knowledge of the New World. One of these influential tribes were the Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee Indians had a fascinating culture and language that formed an important part of American history.
In spring two native americans helped and befriended the colonists. They should the pilgrims how to grow corn, beans, and pumpkins and where to fish and hunt. Without the help of the two native americans the colonists wouldn't have survived or made a treaty with the Wampanoag on 1621.
The third most significant contribution Native Americans made were their languages. Native Americans created sign language which is used by many deaf people today and taught and some universities. Lastly, they adopted a secret code in times of war, which Americans used against the Germans in World War
Culture is intertwined throughout out everything that Native Americans are. Their religion, way of survival, justice system, holistic views, and so much more, comprise their culture. Over the past 200 plus years, Native Americans have been subjected and forced to conform to European derived ideology. This has impacted Native Americans culture from a past, present, and future perspective. These perspectives will be addressed as well as combined into one.