From the lectures in class we learned that there are many misconceptions about the natives that lived in North and South America before and during European colonization. When in reality the natives were living in highly developed and complex societies. Many of these misconceptions can be derived from the miseducation of American youth coinciding with the passing down of old stereotypes and stigmatic views of Native Americans along with the theories on how this country was founded. At a young age children are taught in school that Christopher Columbus was the first to step foot on American soil and in doing so became the trigger for the development of the successful modern day American society, when in truth, Columbus never actually reached North America. I find it interesting that some Americans view Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage, and in doing so, the man is seen as a hero who discovered the New World. Due to the lack of proper historical education, some people, whether unintentional or not, tend to look over the fact that Columbus and his men subjugated and killed thousands of Native Americans for their selfish desire of gold.
I was also interested to learn that the French were highly successful in forming a thriving and more of a genuine companionship with the Native Americans than any other colonial power. However, I feel as though the French only did this because they had to rely on the natives a great deal for their own survival. It was the willingness of the natives to take part in trade with the French that enabled the French to continue existing in North America. Even though all of the colonies took advantage of the Native Americans, the French did so much more admirably. The French did not oppress the natives to the same extent as the other countries did. Since the natives had more influence over the French, they were able to maintain their independence.
5 comments:
You are totally correct on how you wrote the people are very uneducated of what Columbus actually started. I bet the Arawak people would not celebrate such a man. He did not "discover" what was alreay inhibated over million of years ago. He inslaved and murdered the people of the Caribbean. He is not consirded to be hero or a visionary.
http://www.dickshovel.com/colum.html
Excellent points about education, particularly about Columbus. Its much simpler to view history as black and white, good and bad. But more often its complicated and gray. Also good discussion of the French colonization and their interaction with Native peoples.
It is pretty horrifying to me that not only did colonizers decimate native populations, but they felt they were justified in doing so (black and white). Due to the lack of "traditional" sources, it was much more difficult (for the early Europeans at least) to really get a clear picture of Native American culture. Whether it was ignorance or indifference, however, is the real question...
I completely agree with your first papragraph. That is why I think it is so important that we educate our children on all aspects of history, from different perspectives and with different themes. Nothing in our world today is black and white so who noone is to say that is was black and white then either.
I found it interesting how the French were successful in maintaining peace with the native peoples. I would like to learn more about how that was accomplished.
Post a Comment