American history based on Native Americans and European settlers

Introduction

The American history from 1865 to 1918 shows industrialization rise and the results of immigration in America. Native Americans stayed in America long before European settlers arrived. There were many tribes which came from Asia. They crossed the border and came to live in America and became the Native Americans. Settlement of European settlers meant displacement of the native tribes. Conflicts began there between the natives and settlers. The Native Americans were hunters and gatherers where their history is well known by oral traditions. Conflicts became intense since Europeans displaced the natives forcing them to adapt their culture and made them abandon theirs. The natives’ culture was different from the culture of these settlers who advocated for Christianity. The natives practiced hunting, gathering and crop cultivation in order to earn a living. Land was owned communally where the immigrants advocated for change of that naïve culture. They came up with policies such that land would be owned individually where respect of ones property existed.

Indigenous people who lived in the local area

Europeans arrived in America especially in North Africa where they thought that they were in India and named the local people Indians. The name stuck and is still used even in today’s history. The Europeans settlement caused discomfort to the local people since the Europeans came to displace them in the name of exploration and advancement. Some of the local communities interacted well with the Europeans and adapted their living styles while some communities resisted the Europeans settlement (Barkan, 2013). Some of the displacement indigenous communities opted to preserve their traditional culture and decided to areas which Europeans did not want to settle. Native Indians stated declining when Europeans arrived. European came with dangerous diseases which affected the local communities and made them decrease in numbers. This was a good opportunity for settlers since they settled in such fertile lands when the natives died. Most of the native Indians suffered malnutrition and later death since their immune systems were not strong compared to those of settlers (Barkan, 2013). The communities were hunters and gathers while some practiced farming. Some people were efficient fishermen. They build their houses with the materials available in those territories since they were mainly nomadic (Barkan, 2013). They built temporally houses .the materials included dried animal skins, dried bricks and other materials depending on the area they settled. The settlers took the fertile farms and ended the culture of hunting. The white settlers grew in large numbers which made them move away from the coast and forced natives in the eastern part o f the country to move to unfertile lands in the west. Europeans displaced the plain Indians from their fertile eastern lands forcing them to settle in the parts they did not like (Barkan, 2013).

The white settlers brought horses to the country from Europe which contributed to increase in the number of horses especially among the native Indians. The horses made movement possible among the Native Indians in the plains where they used to hunt buffalos which were in large numbers there. These communities were hunters and gatherers which made it possible for them to get enough food together with clothing (Barkan, 2013). Most of the families decided to give up farming and relied on hunting buffalos in order to meet their economical needs as well as food. The communities lived a pastoralist and nomadic life where they moved from one place to another following buffalo herds found in the plains. The communities lived peacefully until the white settlers interrupted the peace by displacing them and disrespecting their cultures and traditions. In 1876, the American government displaced them forcing them to live in reserves (Barkan, 2013). They practiced traditional religion and believed in a supernatural being before the Europeans invaded them and forcefully made them abandon their culture, language and religion and join Christianity which was considered modern (Barkan, 2013). The husbands’ practiced hunting while the wives cooked food and took care of homes and children. Wives remained submissive to their husbands and respected the husbands. This made them exist in peace since the relationship was considered part of the cultural duty.

Discuss the first European explorers and settlers and how they interacted with the indigenous people. Why did the settlement mushroom into a major town?

It is believed that the first European explorers to reach America were Columbus. The main reason for settling at this location is that they were searching gold, silk, silvers and other valuable minerals. In addition, they were looking for new area to declare as their land. The Native America who introduced them to some of the Europeans potatoes, tobacco, vegetables and corns welcomed the first European explorers and settlers. On the other hand, the European explorers introduced these natives American to some of the European’s practices (Lyons, 2008). For instance, they exposed them to some of the new diseases such as smallpox, measles that were killing many of these Native Americans (Dent, 1995). They also introduced them use of guns and horses during wartime. The European Explorers and settlers interacted with the indigenous people first in a friendly manner. For instance, they brought them different types of foods and animals. They introduced them to some items such as tea and coffees. It is argued that the early settlers and explorers had influenced the indigenous people in different ways. For instance, they had devastating impacts on their land and they brought different cultures and religions into this country (Lyons, 2008).

In other words, the early European and explorers exposed these people to different things that they could not be in a position to know without them. For example, they introduced them to new diseases that were killing the Indigenous people. These may include measles and smallpox. It is believed that the European explorers and settlers had negative and positive impacts on the lives of the indigenous (Lyons, 2008). This is due to the fact that they changed their way of living by introducing them to agriculture. In relation to this, they changed their lives of prospect generations, forever. This is because of the fact that they exposed them to different things that they were not aware of when the first European explorers and settlers had not settled in America. Vasco dag Gama is also known as the earliest European explorers (Dent, 1995). He arrived in American in 1498. His main aim was to find a water way to Asia. This was his main achievement during his exploration as he discovered a water route to Asia and brought back some of the collection of spice and jewels that encouraged further research or exploration (Lyons, 2008). It is believed that the first European explorers were the first people to introduce to the gospel or the word of God to the indigenous (Lyons, 2008). This means that they changed their beliefs. The reason why they settled in mushroom settlement or a major town is the fact that they wanted to spread the word of Christianity. It is believed that missionaries who changed the lives of indigenous or native people accompanied the first European explorers. This is due to the fact that they introduced to them the word of God and spread it all over the country. Thus, there was need for them to settle in a major town in order to spread the word of God and make the non-believers know about Christianity.

Discuss how the area was affected by major historical events such as the American Revolution, Slavery, Immigration, Westward Expansion and the Civil War

 

Westward Expansion refers to the time when people started moving to the west of the entire country. This is because they were finding different ways of making the territories a state. In relation to this, they were finding a certain number of people who will become a member of the state. Most of the settlers were migrating to westward and this led to the rapid expansion of this place (Lyons, 2008). It is believed that most of the indigenous people who were located in westward were greatly influenced by the new settlers as they changed their way of lives. The area was also influenced by other historical events such as American Revolution. It is argued that the American Revolution had diverse effects on the political, social and economic parts of the indigenous people (Lyons, 2008). This is due to the fact that they allowed women to divorce their wife and gain some rights that will help them in future. Although slavery created different economic opportunities, it also led to some of the undesirable impacts on the lives of the indigenous people. For instance, it led to conflicts between the black Americans and White people (Lyons, 2008). They also mistreated the Native Americans. Large number of immigrants dominated the area. The immigration has various impacts, as there was increase of crimes and other unethical behaviours. It is believed that slavery led to many undesirable impacts as it left scars on black societies. Civil war was another historical event that affected the lives of the indigenous people (Lyons, 2008). For instance, it led to some of the known movements that were protecting the rights of these people. From the above point of view, it can be seen that some of the historical events had different effects on the lives of the indigenous people.

Ethnic origins of the Europeans that came to the area

Europeans were different from the native Indians in all aspects of life. Native Indians settled in America long time before the Europeans which brought conflicts when the white settlers appeared. The native Indians had considered that to be their land and were reluctant to let go. This brought conflicts and clashes between the two major groups. The history of the natives was oral and did not have written records unlike the Europeans. The settlers and the natives did not share anything in common right from language, religion and cultural beliefs. The Europeans culture was modern and advanced unlike the traditional culture of the natives. Most European groups shared common culture, religion, language and social behaviors (Stobaugh, 2012). Most Europeans had already developed weapons unlike the natives who fought using knives. Most of the natives did not resist and instead moved away to give space to the settlers who disrespected their traditional culture and forced them to adapt to their own. Europeans mode of thinking was different from the natives (Stobaugh, 2012).Europeans believed they were a superior race compared to the native Indians since they were more advanced technologically. Europeans lived in mansions which were permanent houses. They had good clothes; good and powerful weapons as well as their appearance intimidated the local communities who considered them as superior. Europeans were more educated thus were able to read and write compared to the natives. They regarded themselves as people of social high classes and intelligent people (Stobaugh, 2012). Europeans were educated people who believed in Christianity and believed that their faith was the only true faith. They believed that non Christians were all heathens. The fact that they believed Indians were non believers made them force them in to Christianity and eventually taking their native lands (Stobaugh, 2012). Christianity involved belief in God but the settlers did not practice what was written in the bible. They converted the Indians and killed those who refused Christianity by basing their argument to the bible. Most of the natives remained submissive to Europeans and accepted to be converted as well as their land taken away. Most Indians became slaves in their own lands through being subjected to slavery by the explorers together with the missionaries. Most of those who did not accept slavery fought back using bows and arrows which were minor compared to Europeans who had guns. This made it easier for the settlers to take the ancestral land from the natives (Stobaugh, 2012). Europeans were learned compared to Native Indians which made relationship within their families modern. Husbands and wives were regarded as equal where wives obeyed their husbands and respected one another. They were financially stable and had good income and were financially and economically developed. They lived in permanent houses while their neighbors lived in traditional houses. They built houses in the land they displaced the natives which made natives bitter and unhappy.

Conclusion

From the above discussion it is evidently seen that native Indians were the first people to settle in America. They considered the land their own until the settlers came to displace them. Technological advances, powerful weapons and education made Europeans feel more superior compared to the native Indians. Most European groups shared common culture, religion, language and social behaviors which made their relationship tight. Language differences between settlers and native Indians made them do away with the Native Indians culture and prohibited them from speaking their own language. The American government supported the Europeans settlers since they advocated for displacement of Native Indians who were put in reserves and made to suffer. Native Indians fought back for their land but due to Europeans powerful weapons they gave up the fight and moved away to other places leaving the Europeans to settle there. The European explorers and settles can be seen to have different impacts on the lives of the indigenous people. This is because they introduced them to many things such as new diseases that were killing large number of Native Americans. Additionally, the settlers were spreading Christianity and this changed their beliefs.

 

References

Barkan, E. R. (2013). Immigrants in American history: Arrival, adaptation, and integration. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.

Dent, R. J. (1995). Chesapeake prehistory: Old traditions, new directions. New York: Plenum Press.

Lyons.J.F,(2008). Teaching History Online. Routledge.

Stobaugh, J. P. (2012). American history: Observations & assessments from early settlement to  today. Green Forest, Ark: Master Books.