Ethnic Conflict during Colonization
Overview of Conflict and Response
During the period of European colonization into North America the type of ethnic conflict that was occurring was Settlers vs. Indigenous populations. The main issue with this conflict was over land and territory. However, the conflict and response to the conflict needed to be justified so settlers pinned the indigenous people as inferior to themselves and savage, essentially making them unworthy to have control over the land. (Wolfe). This is the starting point of the ethnic conflict involving indigenous people in Canada, which in turn marks the beginning of the path for indigenous people to want rights and be their own people without being threatened by groups moving into their territory.
The response to ethnic conflict at the time can be seen as acts of genocide because the goal of the settlers was to eliminate the indigenous people so that they could take control of the land. A large portion of the indigenous population living in the territory now known as Canada perished during the times of colonialism. It does need to be noted that not everyone died from outright intentional killing, many perished
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Which in theory can seem like a better alternative to acts of genocide, however the indigenous people under this control did not live good lives, even by the standards of the time. There was a “history of chattel slavery that existed within Canada where Aboriginal people were bought and sold like commodities.” (Neeganagwedgin). Their lives were entirely controlled and they were not given what we would consider today and basic human rights. Even though one could argue that they are not being targeted and killed during the period of control, many of them still died.
There are many reasons Native Americans and European Colonists did not have a good relationship. The reason for conflict between Colonist and Indians was due to the Colonists insatiable greed for power and land. Some of the reasons not only included physical mistreatment but also an ethical mistreatment of the Native Americans. European Colonists not only brought with them many different diseases that would later aid in the genocide of many Native American tribes, but also a mindset in which they felt superior to there Native neighbors. This feeling of superiority led to an outbreak of violence and many different civil wars. Due to the Native American and the Colonists irreconcilable
The extent to which the conflict between Great Britain and her North American colonies was economic in origin rather than rooted in political and social controversies and differences. For example, the imposement on trade and taxation on imports and exports.
Coming to this land and forcing their customs , brought with them from the native shores, on the original occupants of this land was thought to be the right thing to do. Their religion had taught them to go forth and spread the word of their god, and they did this doing terrible and irreversible damage. In the last few decades we have really begun to understand the extent of destruction done by our country 's forefathers. Although Aboriginals are some of the poorest and most marginalized in Canada, certain groups have really began the push to try and make amends for past crimes and prevent futures ones from occurring.
Religion was a very important part of everyday life in colonial America. Sometimes people were not allowed to question what they were taught, and if they did so they were punished accordingly. Before 1700 some colonies had more religious freedom then others. While others colonies only allowed religious freedom to a select group, others allowed religious freedom to all different kinds of religions. In the overall there was quite a bit of religious freedom in colonial America
-European settlement caused many conflicts, where it is estimated that at least 20,000 Indigenous people were killed from the direct result of colonial violence during this era. Between 2,000-2,500 settler deaths resulted from frontier conflict during the same period. The number difference is quite large and this may be because the technology the British were much more advanced. There was also scenarios, like the massacre in Myall Creek, which the Aboriginals
The Massachusetts colony, otherwise known as the ‘Massachusetts Bay colony’ was originally settled by Puritans in 1630. They were plagued by the religious persecutions of King Charles I and the Church of England. Weary from this dogged torment, they left England under the leadership of John Winthrop. These original colonists quickly established many small towns in the name of high religious ideals and strict societal rules. They also planted churches, spread Puritanism and religiously educated the masses, as these were some of their goals. A utopian society that other colonies looked upon with high regards was the ultimate goal.
The European conquest for establishing North American colonies began with various motivations, each dependent on different, and/or merging necessities: economics, the desire to flee negative societal aspects, and the search for religious freedoms. Originally discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 in search for a trade route to Cathay (China), North America remained uninhabited, excluding the Native American establishments. Following this discovery, Spain –along with other European nations such as France, England, Sweden and the Netherlands– soon began the expedition to the new land with vast expectations. Driven by economic, societal, and religious purposes, the New World developed into a diversely structured colonial establishment
The colonisation of North America by the Europeans became one of the most crucial points for the native North Americans. The differing experiences of contact between both cultures had overwhelmingly disastrous impacts on the normal way of life. From such contact arose the issue of land disputes, in turn resulting in massacres and frontier wars which could have otherwise been unnecessary. The factors stated above provide a suitable stimulus for a discussion in regards to the varying encounters of the Indigenous North Americans.
Between 1492-1776, although many people moved to the “New World”, North America lost population due to the amount of Indians dying from war and diseases and the inability of colonists to replace them. John Murrin states, “losers far outnumbered winners” in “ a tragedy of such huge proportions that no one’s imagination can easily encompass it all.” This thought of a decreasing population broadens one’s perspective of history from that of an excluded American tale full of positivity to that of a more unbiased, all-encompassing analysis. The Indians and slaves have recently been noted as a more crucial part of history than previously accredited with.
The Europeans grabbed the children from the aboriginal communities and placed them in the school. The staff at the schools abused the children, physically, mentally, sexually and spiritually. Children were isolated from influences from their homes, families, traditions and culture” (“Residential”). The lack of acceptance and understanding from the European side caused tremendous pain and suffering to the aboriginal children in the long run. What the Europeans did was unethical in the eyes of a Catholic. The golden rule reflects what the Europeans should have done; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” Luke 6:31(Luke). The Europeans should have respected the Aboriginals and not force them off their land, and change their lifestyle as they probably would not have liked to be treated in that way as well. Thus, it is clear that the British treated the aboriginals unethically from the very start when they stepped on the Canadian soil.
During the sixteenth century European pilgrims migrated across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in North America. North America had just been introduced to the Western Civilization. The America’s were home to the indigenous people, that were made up of several tribes that were called Indians by the early settlers. Together the Indians and settlers began to thrive. Growth and development in the new world was made possible by the abundant amount of natural resources.
Native Americans had inherited the land now called America and eventually their lives were destroyed due to European Colonization. When the Europeans arrived and settled, they changed the Native American way of life for the worst. These changes were caused by a number of factors including disease, loss of land, attempts to export religion, and laws, which violated Native American culture.
Why would anyone want to go through the trouble of colonizing? The English had such motives that compelled them to leave their motherland. It was for the reasons of seeking freedom, seeing there was nothing in Britain for them, and success accessed by other nations.
The European colonists and the Native Americans of North America had very different views on nearly everything they encountered in their lives. Living in vastly different cultures lead both groups to have two extremely different outlooks on four main topics; religious beliefs, the environment, social relations, and slavery, differences which the colonists used to their advantage when conquering the peoples of the New World.
North America was a region in the world that was new to many especially the settlers who’d later live there. For thousands of years this region was unknown until men from other countries began traveling from sea to see this part of the world they never knew about. These people who came to what is now known as the United States of America sought to establish a new life. Before the English, Spanish and French colonies stepped foot on North America there were already Indian tribes who inhabited the land. Soon after reaching this land colonist began to settle in and began working and living. Each colony struck an alliance with the native tribes who lived near them. At the same time the colonists weren’t on good terms. The primary role of the Indians