Unit 1 (Ch. - 1,2,3,4) Flashcards
How many native tribes are recognized by the US government?
563
Do we know the population of native americans before European arrival?
No because not only were no records taken, but, when the Europeans arrived many were immediately killed off by disease.
Why do scientists think that natives may have arrives before the Siberia/Ice Age theory?
Most natives had similar DNA!
What were some of the native’s sophisticated agricultural techniques?
Beni Mounds (irrigation), controlled burning (increased plant growth and attracted wild animals.
Did the natives or the Europeans receive new food during the Columbian Exchange?
The Natives supplied the Europeans with many new kinds of food and the in return the Europeans gave them animals (and disease…)
What was the mortality rate of Natives after after European contact?
95%
State the basis of the Seneca Narrative.
In heaven there is a tree that supplies food to everyone. One day the chief of heaven’s daughter gets sick and someone say the only way to cure her is to dig up the tree and place her in the hole. When he does this, she falls through to an underwater world where she is caught by a turtle. On top of the turtle she bores a daughter who eventually bores two sons. The sons both create land and one is rocky land and the other beautiful land. This is the creation of land.
Who is God in the Seneca Narrative vs. the European view of religion.
It could be the chief, the turtle or even the tree. In Christianity there is just one God.
Nature and Humans in Native and European view.
People depend on the tree in Seneca and in the Creation story Nature is looked at as a luxury.
Gender roles in Native and European view. How does this reflect on everyday life in America?
Daughter creates world (possibly mother nature). Natives in America give woman better opportunities in Society. In the creation story the woman is a burden because she (Eve) eats the forbidden fruit, which essentially causes sin and causes them to be kicked out of Eden. In European life, woman are not treated equally!
What was Spanish contact with the Natives like?
Lots of conflict in the Southwest where Spanish conquistadors took over pueblos and forcefully converted natives to Christianity. Pueblo Revolt was only successful native revolt where most tribes in the area won freedom for a short time.
In the Southeast (Florida), contact was more positive. The Creeks Natives asked the Spanish to protect them from English settlers and they agreed because at that time the Spanish were losing their hold in America
What was French contact with the Natives like?
Characterized as very inconsistent. Initially, when the French number were limited, they had successful ties with the Winnebago (some even married with other race and adopted each others cultures). The French wanted furs and the Natives wanted technology. However, they later had hostile relationships with the Nic Nac and the Natchez. They disagreed about the fact that Europeans established permanent homes on the Natives land which is unlike what the Natives do. This also made it a battle for resources.
What was Dutch contact with the Natives like?
Very positive interactions. Successful trading and mutual peace offerings. They Never took land without asking. Natives even said that the Dutch were way better than the English.
What was English (treaty making) contact with the Natives like?
English were very susceptive with their treaty making - Casko Bay Treaty - tried to create peace but the English would write things on the contract that weren’t translated vocally so the Natives would get the short hand of the stick every time. Also the Walking Purchase was another unfair treaty. Only good relationship was with the Iroquois who they gave land to to rule over.
What was the English (settlers) contact with the Natives like?
English didn’t respect Native boundaries what so ever. Natives consistently offered help (winter of 1607) and asked/pushed for peace even though the English treated them so badly. The entitlement the English felt over the Natives caused constant tension. Finally the Indians put a foot down when the Mahican Indian leader asked for the English to stop selling his people rum because they are getting drunk before every treaty. Then the Abenakis say that they are done with this crap and they are ready for war if they need to but still push for peace. Point out that this is their ancestors land that they are constantly taking.
