Engravings John White Analysis

“Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress”, chapter one of “A People’s History of the United States”, written by professor and historian Howard Zinn, concentrates on a different perspective of major events in American history. It begins with the native Bahamian tribe of Arawaks welcoming the Spanish to their shores with gifts and kindness, only then for the reader to be disturbed by a log from Columbus himself – “They willingly traded everything they owned… They would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.” (Zinn pg.1) In the work, Zinn continues explaining the unnecessary evils Columbus and his men committed unto the unsuspecting natives. The argument that seems to be made (how Columbus

Petalesharo’s writing reflected the treatment of Native Americans during the 1800s. Being a Native American himself, Petalesharo was able to give perspective on a point in history typically viewed from a white man’s opinion. The excerpt “Petalesharo” explains how the Native American was able “to prevent young women captured by other tribes from being sacrificed”, making Petalesharo well liked by the Americans (588). Petalesharo gave the “Speech of the Pawnee Chief” infront of Americans to convey the differences between Native Americans and Americans through emotion, logic, and credibility, which showed how the two groups will never be the same, but still can coexist in the world together.

Chapter eight in the book, Voices Of Freedom, we read into the years of 1790 through 1815. In the coming chapters we learn about the French Revolution (1792-93), but also skim past Judith Murray and the equality of sexes, George Washington’s farewell address, George Tucker on Gabriel’s rebellion, Mercy Otis Warren on religion and Virtue (1805), Tecumseh on Indians and lands (1810), Felix Grundy, and Battle Cry of the War Hawks (1811). Although chapter eight follows the process of the republic and securing it I find that through this chapter an argument that is most presented in chapter eight is that of Indian rights in the New America, the rise of colonization and the amelioration of Native ways.

The author moves the history onto another trajectory by investigating the connection between native identity and politics to protect their way of life. Dowd states that tribal religion interconnected with “Indian politics.” Investigating the Pan-Indian movement, Dowd offers historians with a new inquiry, which questions the importance that native religion had in forming an identity in resistance. Examining memoirs and journals, Dowd argues that the visions of the prophets “received revelations” that promoted the nativists’ resistance against Europeans. Dowd reexamines Brown’s argument by focusing on how accommodationists merged native and European traditions together. However, Dowd progresses the course of history by arguing that the nativist rejected the accommodationists. Accepting Anglo-Christianity and culture, Dowd states that the nativists viewed the accommodationists as aiding in the transformation of native culture. Citing Josiah Gregg’s memoirs, the author states how many of the prophets preached that Christianity did not provide “salvation” to the Native Americans. Offering the importance between Native religion and politics, Dowd provides historians with a different outlook on the identity and culture. The author’s different approach to identity enables historians to investigate new inquires on the character and history of the Native

When most people think of the beginning of North America they think of the first successful settlement, Jamestown, but this was not the actual first attempt in the New World. The settlement at Roanoke was the first attempt to colonize the New World in 1587. The colony on the island Roanoke is often referred to as the “Lost Colony” because of its unusual disappearance. The disappearance of the colony Roanoke, is one of the most significant events known to archeologist, historians, explorers and enthusiasts as America’s longest ongoing historical mystery. The colony of Roanoke Island had shaped the foundation of North America with the first American born, helped the English learn from their mistakes by successfully creating a settlement and became

Mary Rowlandson was kidnapped from her village and held captive by Native Americans. While in captivity, she portrayed a negative picture of the Native Americans in her narrative “The Captivity and restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.” In her narrative, Rowlandson disparaged and ridiculed the Native Americans in a negative way to show or reason to her peers that the Native Americans were like savages and ruthless animals. In my opinion, Rowlandson portrayed the Native Americans in a negative manner to show others their savage behaviors but also to show the power of God and how he will save those who believe in him.

The arrival of the first Europeans in the Americas is dramatically captured through the many writers who attempted to communicate what they saw, experienced and felt. What is more, the very purposes of their treacherous travel and colonization are clearly seen in their writings; whether it is poetry, history or sermons. Of the many literary pieces available today, William Bradford and John Winthrop’s writings, even though vary because the first is a historical account and the second is a sermon, stand out as presenting a clear trust in God, the rules that would govern them and the reason they have arrived in the Americas.

Now we have all heard about the story of Pocahontas, unfortunately many of the stories we were told growing up are not completely true. Camilla Townsend, the author of “Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma”, intends to inform its readers about the evolution of the many lies written and told by the Englishmen regarding their relationships with the Native America peoples that many of us have heard about today. However, Townsend has ineffectively given her readers information about the whole truth to the stories she has written about the many relationships of the English and Native Americans.

The French and Indian War altered the relations of the American Colonies and Britain through political, economic, and geographical issues.

Throughout the seventeenth century, conflict between Europeans and Native Americans was rampant and constant. As more and more Europeans migrated to America, violence became increasingly consistent. This seemingly institutionalized pattern of conflict begs a question: Was conflict between Europeans and Native Americans inevitable? Kevin Kenny and Cynthia J. Van Zandt take opposing sides on the issue. Kevin Kenny asserts that William Penn’s vision for cordial relations with local Native Americans was destined for failure due to European colonists’ demands for privately owned land. On the other hand, Cynthia J. Van Zandt argues that despite military disputes among the two bodies, trade alliances between the groups continued. Van Zandt further claimed that relational failure stemmed from conflict among various Europeans nations advocating for dominance over the New World. The overarching purpose of the argument is to determine

Thesis: The English were a prideful group, entangled in ethnocentrism, that caused a condescending and harsh treatment of the Native Americans, while the Native Americans were actually a dynamic and superior society, which led to the resentment and strife between the groups.

The Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson is a text that describes the experiences of Mary Rowlandson during her captivity by the Native Americans in the King Phillips war. The details about the capture which took place in 1676 are recorded in her diary accounts which were written a few years after she was released. The captivity lasted about eleven weeks and is accounted in the diaries. Rowlandson specifically believes that her experiences were related to the Bible and that the capture was a trial from God which she had to endure in order to survive and remain a true Christian woman who is suitable for the then puritan society (Harris 12). She judges the Native Americans from the religious perspectives which create an obvious bias against their culture. This paper will discuss how the narrator promotes the social and religious interactions between the various groups in the American society at the time of King Phillips war.

In the nineteenth century, America was at one of its peaks of racial debate, with people starting to question whether it was right for the African Americans to stay enslaved, or if it was time to start the process of freeing the slaves and allowing them to live a better life. However, most people did not even question how the Native Americans were being treated or forced to change almost every aspect of their lives to “please,” as if they could ever be, the white people. William Apess’ The Experience of Five Christian Indians is an example of some of the harsh ways that Indians were treated before and even after they were “forcibly” converted to Christianity.

“The Village” by heavily accredited movie director M. Night Shyamalan is rich with symbolism and is a breath of fresh air for the horror and thriller movie genres. The themes and ideas presented in the film can be fascinating for all types of people. In Shyamalan’s “The Village”, several types of symbolism are used, such as the myth of “Those We Do Not Speak of”, Ivy’s blindness, and the colors to explain the overall theme of loss of innocence.

Throughout history cultures have clashed many times. Whether it be because of land, industrialization, or race people have always found reasons to disagree with one another. John Smith’s writing “The General History of Virginia” shows a dominant culture coming in contact with a less developed culture, dehumanizing them and uplifted John Smith in order to take control of the people. Smith, an influential member of society and founder of Jamestown, wrote his text in 1624, seventeen years after the events had occurred. He is also known to have embellished his story to make himself appear more substantial.