HIS 315K Assignments 2:
Part I:
1. The textbook says that "for Indians from New Mexico to Canada, European colonization was a disaster." How would a Huron (Links to an external site.) respond? How would a Pueblo (Links to an external site.) respond? How would Powhatan (Links to an external site.) respond? Answer each of the following with three or four complete sentences.
Note: The sources on the Hurons and the Pueblos are not primary sources, but they do contain important information that will help you think about these situations from the Indians' perspective.
a. How would a Huron assess the role of trade with the French? Who had the upper hand?
The Huron had advantages in trade by canoe. The vast lakes and rivers were known by the Huron and their canoes were lighter than the Iroquois. This advantage was noted by the French and was a political tool that was reinforced after the dispersal of the Huron.
b. What would a Pueblo say about religion and resistance? Would he or she claim to be Catholic?
The Pueblo showed hostility towards the Spaniards. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado led an expedition that displaced many tribes in southwest USA. Traditional pueblo ceremonies were interrupted and catholic traditions were forced upon the population under Spanish rule. The pueblo resisted these memorandums when they could and eventually fused into catholic traditions as the generations passed.
c. What would Powhatan say about diplomacy? Did he think he spoke from a position of weakness or from one of strength?
The Powhatan spoke from a position of weakness when they petitioned Capitan Smith. The Powhatan were aware that the colonists were acting in an imperialistic manor. The natives looked to persuade the colonists to act as friends and share the land. The Powhatan know that it is better to work together and share resources than to be forced off their land.
d. In each case, what do you think tipped the balance of power in the relationship between Europeans and Indians?
- The Europeans had several advantages over the Indians that tipped the balance of power in their favor. The diseases like small pox wiped out a large portion of natives that gave the Europeans a numerical advantage on the battlefield. Technological advances like early guns also gave the Europeans an advantage on the battlefield. The Europeans also lacked the values the Natives had and broke their promises and contracts many times to continue there conquest.
e. Is "disaster" the right word to use? Is "conquest"? Why or why not?
The European historical term is conquest, but from a native point of view one might use terms like disaster or onslaught. The European occupation of the Americas was a conquest to explore the new world. The ethnocentricity of the catholic Europeans along with disease spelled disaster for the natives. The Europeans did not view the natives in the same way that the natives viewed them. The Europeans viewed the natives as commodities to be exploited.
2. Anne Bradstreet and Anne Hutchinson are two of the best-known Puritan women in United States history, but for very different reasons. Using your textbook, Bradstreet's poetry, and Hutchinson's trial transcript as the basis of your analysis, write at least one well-formed paragraph in response to the following (a and b).
a. Read " Upon My Dear and Loving Husband His Going into England (Links to an external site.)." Cite at least three specific examples of how the poem represents Puritan beliefs about the proper role of women in the commonwealth.
The Puritans believed in personal interpretation of the bible. Women had less power in their society than they do today.
“I in obedience to Thy will
Thou knowest did submit.
It was my duty so to do;
O Lord, accept of it.” This stanza suggests that women in the puritan society are to be obedient and your duty gods will.
“Unto Thy work he hath in hand
Lord, grant Thou good success
And favour in their eyes to whom
He shall
