When the Native American Indians first met the European Settlers
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What did the Native Americans & the Settlers expect when they first met
When the Europeans began their settlement of the New World, it was both complicated and aided by its indigenous inhabitants. The native people alternately became allies and enemies of the newly arrived settlers from Europe. These two totally dissimilar cultures were hurtling toward each other in a clash of cultures that would be the end for one of them. Did either of them expect what was to come when the first Europeans came to America?
What did the settlers expect of the Native Americans when they arrived? Surely there was a sense of dread among the arriving Europeans concerning these mysterious people who had warred with the early Spanish colonizers. What did they think would happen? And conversely, what did the locals think of these strange intruders?
When the colonists set sail for America, they knew that they’d not only have to find a way to survive in the wilderness, but would also have to deal with rival nations that were claiming their own share of this vast new land. There had been long animosity between France, England, and the Dutch. These were obstacles which would be difficult to overcome. The wild card in all this would be the native population who they knew little about. They’d read the stories of Columbus and his voyages, and heard rumors from traders and fishermen concerning the “primitive” people of the continent, but so few clear cut facts existed. How would they be received? They had some hopes of trading with the natives. Would these hopes be realized or were they walking into the lion’s den?
The Europeans had a very mixed view of the Indian natives. On one hand, they were told that Indians could be gentle and receptive, helpful and eager to trade. This may have been a true depiction, or the propaganda of the English government and trading companies which had a vested interest in promoting colonization; it was a very positive image and gave intended settlers hope that they would be welcome with open arms and helping hands. They wanted to believe that they were heading to the Garden of Eden.
However, there was an opposing image of these same Indians. Perhaps these came from the Spanish or from visitors to America who’d had bad experiences with the locals.
Whichever the case, Indians were often described in very unflattering terms. Among these descriptions were terms like, “Flesh eating primitives,” “Savage, hostile and beastlike,” and “Crafty, loathsome half-men.” These various metaphors could not have inspired much confidence in the people who heard them.
The English had an ace-in-the-hole that kept their courage up. They knew that they had the same level of technology and weaponry as the Spanish. Therefore, they knew that if push came to shove, they could defeat the American natives in a fight, just as the Spanish had. Conquest was always in the back of their minds, as an alternative to peaceful integration.
English pessimism due to the Indian’s history with the Spanish was no doubt exacerbated when a Chesapeake Indian tribe ambushed the first arrivals making landfall. Things didn’t start off well and the settlers became very suspicious of the indigenous people. And the Indians surely felt the same, but they had their own motivations for contact.
Powhattan, leader of the powerful Algonquian tribe of Indians, was a proud and clever man. He saw the newcomers as a source of power. They had things of value, like guns and knives. Powhattan was in the process of consolidating his power in the region. He already controlled 25 bands of united warriors, and was looking for another advantage.
Weapons would be invaluable to him. To this end, he became a friend and benefactor to the new settlement. Although their presence was a potentially destabilizing element and a dangerously double edged sword, he felt they were worth the risk. He brought them food to help them survive their first long, cold winter, known as “the starving time”. He continued to trade with them afterwards, supplying corn and other foods in exchange for weapons.
It was, perhaps, this dependency on the Indians that helped to increase their distrust of the locals. They needed Powhattan’s food to get through the winter and were very much afraid that he would take advantage of their weakness. They expected the local Indians to act as treacherously and heartlessly as Europeans often did. Many rationalized that the Algonquian assistance was really initiated by their Christian God who was looking out for them. It made them feel better to believe that they were in the hands of God, not the Indians. Colony leader John Smith wrote, “If it had not pleased God to have put a terror in the Savage’s hearts, we’d have perished by those wild and cruel Pagans, being in that weakest state as we were.”
Looking at it from the Indians point of view, they probably had little reason to suspect the horrors that were to come. They’d had limited interaction with the white man. Most tribes probably had no idea what happened down in South America with the Spanish. Up in Canada, the French had made strides in co-existing wit the regional Indians and even advocated inter-racial marriages. So it’s likely the Indians were leery—the unknown is always frightening—but naïve and confident enough not to view the newcomers as anything to fear. The Europeans came bearing gifts to trade, and some tribes did initially profit off their arrival.
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Glad you found it interesting. Thanks for the imput.
Your hub seems to be a pretty good summary. I think there were misconceptions from all sides due to differences in social structure and customs. I learned in a course on Indian History that the Scotch who had a clan structure, were were much better at dealing with the Indians for that reason.
Thanks Dahoglund. I'm of Scots descent and I'd say your correct that the early Highland tribes of Northern Scotland had quite a bit in common with the Native American Indians. Although the Scots had better luck defending their borders from conquest than the American Indians did.
amazing
Thanks.
This hub article is very interesting and really makes one think. I am very interested in history and particularly that of the Native Americans. I think it's a great learning tool for mistakes we have made in dealing witheac other in the past. Thanks for this well written piece.
Nice Article.
Thank you both, mquee and sepiaprince. Much appreciated.
nice
Thank you, cristal.
Cool topic. My Pepe's French Canadian blood was mixed with Algonquin... The first settlers must have appeared weak human beings and obviously could never be a threat to the true people.
Tribal alliances with either the French or British for the North East Woodland tribes,created intense competition among the great indigenous tribes themselves.Warring amongst themselves became intense...
before trade it was limited or did not exist at all. These people became dependent on trade goods, the 5 civilized tribes of the north east woodlands were brought low in my opinion because of dependence on trade goods,a discovery of huge Ego- and their own warring alliances. (Throw a little disease on that too)...
sorry, jus got goin! :)peace Rob, great topic -voted up - gregZ
Thanks for the input, gg. And your make a lot of valid points. The Indians did ultimately become dependent on trade goods. I appreciate your comments.
Very interesting, expecially as I'm not too familiar with this history.
Love and peace
Tony
Glad I could help enlighten you about a period in history, albeit a sad one. I love history myself. Thanks for reading, Tonymac.
Thanks buryshane. Glad you stopped by. Thanks for reading and commenting and joining the fun.
This is great, Rob! I love studying the Native Americans.
Glad you liked it, Habee. I enjoy studying the native Americans, too.
hey can you help me i need to write the point of views of the native people and the europeans can you plz help me by the end of this week plz plz plz
hey i like what you wrote it helped me a little bit but it wasent clear to me cause im still in school on grade 6 so i really need your help of the point of view and if you cant does any of your freinds know or do you know any site i can go to please please i really need it for this week cause next week im back to school please please
I'll help you if I can. Contact me through the link higher up on this page that says "Contact Robwrite".
i am 9 years old and i love to read about my culture and how people had war.
Reading is good, Gabrielle. I love to read, too. It's good to learn about history. Thanks you for reading my hub.
Really helped me for my report! Thx Robwrite!
I'm always glad to be useful, butterfly.
This is a great help for my homework!!! :)
Glad to hear it, sleevi. Always happy to be of help!
oh thankyou sooo much, this has helped me on my assignment alot! great work :)
ur awesome!!!!
Glad to help, Alysha. I hope you get a good mark.
Rob
is this about the aztec's indigenous society ?
This is a brief summary of the effect that Europeans had on the whole American continent and the indigenous people therein.
okay, thanks so much.
thanks for the help doing an essay on the europeans and the indians. :)
Glad I could help, coolcat.
thank you for the help with the point of view essay for Europeans and the Indians:):)
You're welcome.
What did the Natives think of the fur trade?what was there point of view?
The fur trade was big with the French colonists who settled in Canada. That was one of the main reasons that the French came to the new world. The Indians were all for it, since they had a much better relationship with France than with England (Which is why most tribes sided with France against England during the French/Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War.
I hope that helps.
Rob
this hub was very helpful and useful fr my homework thank you soooo much!!!!!!!!!!!
Good to know, ashish. Happy I could help.
Rob
it's to bad the Europeans didn't accept some of the Indians ways... for my own tribe (two spirited individuals)... we were completely devastated by the Christians... my kind were great advisers and counselors to Chiefs and leaders all over the world... after the the Europeans came we have been delegated to the freak shows on the jerry Springer show... sad really... there were was no word for divorce before the Europeans came... very nice read Rob...
Hi Jeanine; It's all so tragic. The fall of one culture at the hands of another is a bane on the whole human race. Your comments really help describe how diminished the whole Native American race must feel. It's fascinating but sad that there was no word for divorce before the Europeans came.
I appreciate your input and insight,
Rob
it is tragic... my kind were great men of God, but because we didn't fit into the European model, we were killed or beaten into submission... even today, the medical community continues to try and change us... by making us less.. telling me I will be more if they can make me less... they do not understand I am both not one or the other... my tribe had transcended the binary system... now our tribe has been relegated to being beautiful men that look like women... or worse... men who try and be women... to my tribe transsexuals are viewed just as being the new Eunuchs... we were and are great men of spirit, who understand both men and women... on a basic level, we were never meant to be women, we are not one or the other... we are both... you are correct none of the native Americans had a clue they would change our culture... it was not considered... to disrespect a man simply because he was different... we should have known when they said they were white men... no one is white or pure but one... and He is the son to the great father in heaven... He is all colors of man and womankind and His holiness burns so pure his light appears to be white... thanks for letting me express my views...
time to read the book titled "1491"...
Good information
I live to serve
This was really helpful, considering how I'm not too familiar with history. Keep up the good work! ;)
Hi Ashley; Very glad I could help familiarize you with this bit of unpleasant history.
Thanks for the comments,
Rob
Ya i really needed somewhere to look online about the conflicts the settlers had. This saved my butt on my paper
Thanks.
Happy to have been of service, John.
wow! so good! O.O Thnks! =3
You're welcome.
thanks
You're welcome.
where did this take place?
It happened in North and south America.
I was looking for what a native american would do in the face of blatant ego. That's how I came upon this page. Seems to me mouth would turn down and they'd walk off. Can't find a native response anywhere for ego. I'm so far removed from my own tribe (Wicomico), wiped out as it was. Do you know of any native american response to ego? I'll use it. You are a knowledgeable man. Thank you for this page and good luck on your TV series. I'll look for it, even though I don't know the name of it yet. But I now know yours and will keep a sharp eye out for this upcoming series.
What were some of the main reasons native american and colonists interaction was negative most of the time or hostile?
thanx I love this website
Glad to hear it, Alex,
Thanks for reading,
Rob
Hi Christine; I'm not sure what the Native American response is to ego. they are a spiritual people but I don't know their philososphy about the relation to the ego and the physical world. I'm going to look into that more.
Thanks for reading,
Rob
Hey there. I see that I never did respond on this hub while I was a member of this site. Weird. Now that I've been banned, I'm only commenting now.
Have you passed your milestone for this hub yet? It is a fabulous article.
Re: inter-racial marriages in Canada. Yes, the names given to those with a native mother and white father (British *or* French) were the Metis. The most famous and notorious is named Louis Riel.
Take care.
I'll try to visit every now and then on a new hub. Because you don't get notices if a guest user comments on your hub, you only see them if you expect them-like on this popular hub-or on the newest.
Take care,
Flora
Flora; I was sorry to see you're not on Hub pages any more. I hope you can come around as a guest often.
Thanks for the information about the Metis.
I haven't quite reached 20,000 yet for this hub but I'm almost there.
Take care,
Rob
thanks for the information
love american indians a good artical
thanks, bro. really helpful
Hello, hello, 2 years ago
That is a very interesting and followed-through hub which provokes a lot of thoughts. Thank you.