Unit 2: Topic 5 - Interactions Between American Indians and Europeans Flashcards
Why did the Dutch and the French tend to make decisions in agreement with the Native Americans (trading rituals, intermarriage, allies, etc.)?
Compared to Britain and Spain, there were fewer French and Dutch settlers in New France and New Netherland and amiable trade with the Natives was desired. This was because the Dutch and the French had no intention of establishing large settlements in the Americas and only focused on trade.
In unfamiliar territories, it was in the best interest of the French and Dutch settlers to cooperate with the Natives’ trading agreements. It was often even advantageous for these settlers in achieving positions of respect among Native Americans, opening up more opportunities for trade.
Give an example of a Native American group that made alliances with Europeans
One example is the Iroquois Confederacy. It was one of the largest native alliances on the continent. They had an organized government armed with European guns, and trapped beaver furs in upstate New York and Pennsylvania. They allied themselves with the British against the French and their native allies during the French and Indian war and sometimes utilized shrewd tactics to pit the British and the French against each other.
What was King Phillip’s/Metacom’s War?
King Phillip’s War was a battle in 1675 between the Wampanoag, led by Metacom (also known as King Phillip), and the New England colonies.
The main causes of the war included the colonists’ desire for territory in Native American land and the outrage caused by English hanging of Metacom’s men.
Metacom’s death effectively ended the war, and as a result, Native American presence in the New England region diminished and colonists were able to expand their territory.
What were Anglo-Powhatan Wars?
In 1607, the English settled in Jamestown, Virginia. There they met Chief Powhatan and the numerous local tribes that were part of Powhatan’s Confederacy. The relationship began amicably but soon deteriorated as the food was scarce. As a result, a series of wars broke out between the Anglos and Powhatans from 1610-1646.
Due to the wars and diseases, the Powahatan population significantly declined.
Explain the Pueblo Revolt and its results.
The Pueblo Revolt, or also known as Popé’s Rebellion, was an organized revolt by Pueblo Indians who lived in modern-day New Mexico, against Spanish conquistadores in the wake of religious persecution, violence, drought, and the stripping of their culture/heritage.
In addition to forcing Catholicism on the Pueblo people, the Spanish had been especially cruel to the natives. For example, Spanish Conquistador Juan de Oñate had ordered that one leg be chopped from every man over fifteen and the rest of the population be enslaved, setting a pattern of cruelty that lasted 80 years.
This was one of the only successful Native revolts, due to the low amount of Spanish troops present, resulting in hundreds of Spanish deaths. Despite this, there were still many Catholic Pueblos and this resulted in religious syncretism between the distinct cultures of the Pueblo and the Spanish.
