WRITING ASSIGNMENT 1
The relationship between the two groups varied; as the distinct native tribes and European nationalities forged differing bonds with each other, bonds that were tailored to each others cultural standards. On one hand, you had the receptive mutually beneficial relationship of the Plymouth Plantation Settlement and Massasoit described in a letter (Winslow), to the 1622 Virginia Uprising. Although one of the main causes for all relations with the European settlers, whether violent or peaceful, were done in the hopes of cultural and tribal preservation. Throughout the primary sources you have several cases where Indians were either helpful, antagonistic, indifferent or played the part of allies in war (Charlevoix). As each…show more content… A common theme is the distrust of Europeans by the natives in regards to the prevalence of diseases brought forth from Europe. For example, from one source there is mention of disease: “half the natives died from a disease of the stomach and blamed us“ (Cabaza de Vaca), to another where death occurred from a “pest in the land” brought forth by Indian travellers from Spanish ports. (Merrell) This along with the encroachment by Europeans would have created an atmosphere of suspicion and at worst, violence. Coupled with what the natives viewed as the erosion of their cultural values due to the imposition of trade and commerce; as opposed to the agrarian living of the natives lead to an all too common course of history during colonial America: peace, trade, subjugation and finally rebellion, a process that repeated itself several times throughout the America and the world as a whole. These losses through epidemics and war slowly ate away at their unique cultural identities, forcing them to integrate with other existing tribes, leading to a loss of independence and reliance on
