(9/5) Facing East from Indian Country Flashcards
What was the order of colonization?
Spanish, French, British, then Dutch.
What kinds of exchange is colonization?
Cultural, material, biological/ecological.
What would we consider America as opposed to the “New World” as Europeans called it?
“New worlds for all”
Did natives struggle to ally amongst themselves?
Yes, they were people with thousands of years of history - both good and bad.
When did natives drift towards cultural consolidation (East)?
They drifted BEFORE Europeans’ time. The movement was based on their own wants and desires.
What was the interaction like between Europeans and Natives?
It was strange, unexpected, and curious. The natives wanted to see how they could use and work with the Europeans to their advantage ..(who are they? What do they want? Are they gods?).
How did Columbus (among others) perceive the Natives?
They saw them as barbaric and without religion, with very racist/discriminatory opinions of natives (saw them as easily molded or enslaved). He also referred to their hair as course and like a horse.
What was the Colombian (ecological) exchange referred to as?
It was referred to as “weeds”. A weed is foreign and comes into an already-used environment and disturbs it, reproduces/spreads rapidly, and outcompetes the native species. The Aztecs named their white clover after the Spanish because of this.
What was the worst of the “weeds”?
DISEASE. It was adopted into contact with humans from domesticated animals/livestock (smallpox).
What were some of effects of smallpox?
There was devastating consequences - 80% chance of getting infected and 40% chance of dying. No one understood it and couldn’t fight it or get rid of it. Eventually, though, people adjust.
What were the Spanish renowned for?
Violence and heavy-handedness. They also relied heavily on natives for information (on how to accumulate wealth), military assistance, and labor.
What did the Spanish call America?
Espanola.
What did the Spanish do to the Natives? What system was developed?
They enslaved them through material needs and ideas of cultural superiority. They developed the Encomienda System - which was very structured and hierarchical. Eventually, few people were making money, which made it reformed and ended the slavery at the time.
How did the Spanish try to convert the Natives?
They converted them through the Franciscan Century (1581-1680), which hardly converted most natives. Overtime, though, natives rebelled.
What was the impact of Fur Trade?
When the French came to America, they realized they couldn’t influence and use the same power the Spanish did. They realized they could gain wealth through Fur trade.
