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European Influence On Native American Society

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The history of Native Americans is one that has not received the attention it deserves. In elementary school through high school, learning about Native Americans was brushed over or presented with false information. It did not dive into the intricacies and complexities of Native American societies. This especially true when it comes to the impact of European contact with Native American societies. The effects of colonization are far more destructive than even what people are taught in elementary to high school. One such society that was greatly impacted by European contact was the Chumash people of California. While the people of the Chumash tribe were rich in culture and had a well-established society, they faced despicable challenges at the …show more content…

For one, they built their homes out of grass in a hemispherical shape that spanned from twelve to twenty feet or more. These extraordinary homes were sturdy, typically made to support more than one family, and were only really used in the instance of poor weather (Reith, 1995, p.60). Furthermore, the Chumash had an established system of currency in which they exchanged shell beads for goods and services (Dartt Newton & Erlandson, 2006, p. 418). In addition, the Chumash people were also excellent craftsmen. For instance, one of the Chumash people 's most important tools were tomols. Tomols were large, strong canoes built from pine planks which gave the Chumash people an advantage for fishing and allowed them to engage in trade with other surrounding societies. This tool helped the Chumash societies to grow in large numbers (Reith, 1995, …show more content…

67). The Spanish held ideas that they were somehow superior to the Native Americans. Therefore, the Spanish believed that they were converting the “wild” Chumash Native Americans into a more dignified way of being (Sandros, 1991, p.67). They believed that the Chumash people 's views were unacceptable and needed to be "fixed" (Sandros, 1991, p.73). The Spanish strived for complete cultural conversion (Sandros, 1991, p. 67). In the case of missions, this meant completely tearing the Chumash people from their former ways of life by forcing them into slavery, and making it difficult for them to not

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