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The Genocide Of The Native Americans

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Cristina Savaglio Prof. Di Lorenzo History 203 24 November 2014 The Genocide of the Native Americans Early European colonization of the Americas was initially marked by both exchange and conflict. When the English colonists arrived in the Americas most Indian tribes welcomed them. Many Indians believed the settling colonists would assist in protecting their tribe from other powerful tribes in the area, because the colonists had access to weapons. In exchange for this added protection, the Indians generously shared many of their belongings, supplies, food, and skills necessary for survival, since the colonists were not experienced with hunting or understanding the land. The Indians thought these newcomers were the best thing to happen …show more content…

The Native Americans resented the religious teachings, and thus resisted the colonists’ attempts at major change. The Indians refusal to conform to Christianity is what started the initial hostility between the two groups. Once the anger and resentment grew, the conflicts also grew. The English colonists believed the Indians were not using the land and all of its resources in an effective manner. The Indians would use the land for hunting, but the colonists felt that the Indians should establish business enterprises, such as farming, and use the land in a more profitable manner. The colonists desired that the Indians sell their land to them, and migrate to different territories, so they could start constructing their farming enterprises. It was clear that the colonists were motivated by profit. When the Indians refused to leave and sell their land, it created another conflict between the two groups. According to Ronald Takaki’s book, “A Different Mirror”, the removal of the Cherokee tribe from their ancestral land, was one example of the colonists ordering a tribe away from what was rightfully theirs. The settlers forcefully asked the Cherokee tribe to either subjugate to the man’s white rule, or migrate to a different territory. Naturally, the Cherokee people didn’t want to become accustomed to the white man’s ways, and further, they refused to leave the land of their ancestors. The colonists would not take “no”

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