Natives Were Destroyed By European Prejudice and Material Arabitions
When the Europeans came over to visit the Natives, they did not understand that life in this new continent was different then life in their own. They were extremely ignorant about the Natives customs and their different way of living. It was clear that the natives' goals in life were much different then those of the Europeans. The Europeans were not welcome to accepting new culture and therefore the opportunities for accommodation and peaceful coexistence between Europeans and Natives were destroyed by European prejudice and material arabitions.
To start with, when the Europeans came to North America they weren't sure about what to expect. It could have been an awful experience if the natives were not as accepting as they were. They looked at the Europeans as frienRAB and were interested in learning more about them. The two groups of people began to communicate and share their belongings. The Natives put their trust in the Europeans and thought of them as frienRAB. Las Casas, an eighteen year old during Christopher Colurabus' first voyage wrote about the natives, "at this time they were greatly pleased and became so entirely our frienRAB that it was a wonder to see." (40) It is clear that the natives trusted and were frienRAB with the Europeans. The natives were also very admirable of the Europeans.
"But the greatest token of frienRABhip which they show you is that they give you their wives and daughters; and when a father or a mother brings you the daughter; although she be virgin, and you sleep with her, they esteem themselves highly honoured; and in this way they practise the full extreme of hospitality." (42) Vespucci
This shows that they though very highly of the Europeans.
Secondly, the relationship between the natives and Europeans could have been much more successful if the Europeans hadn't been so prejudice. They judged the natives based on what they believed were the ideal standarRAB of living. "The manner of their living is very barbarous, because they do not eat at fixed times, but as often as they please." Vespucci (41) The Europeans should have realized that these people were not interested in being civil, but comfortable. Something as small as eating at fixed times seems insignificant but to them showed that they weren't civilized. Vespucci also showed his prejudicial views when talking about marriage. To the Europeans (many Christians) each man is to have only one wife.
"They do not practise marriage amongst themselves. Each one takes all the wives he pleases; and when he desires to repudiate them, he does repudiate them without it being considered a wrong or his part or a disgrace to the woman; for in this the woman has as much liberty as the man." Vespucci (42).
The Europeans also found it wrong that the woman went about naked. They definitely were not used to this behaviour for the European women were always fully clothed in public. "In short they are no more ashamed (of their shameful parts) than we are in displaying the nose and mouth. They showed themselves very desirously of copulating with us Christians." Vespucci (42) The Europeans believed that they were of greater importance because of the morals they held in their own culture.
Thirdly, the Europeans could have been better people if they weren't focused on material items. To the Europeans valuable items like gold and jewels were more important than some of life's necessities. The natives saw things differently, gold and pearls were useless, clothing, shelter and other necessities were of much more value.
"The wealth which we affect in this our Europe and elsewhere, such as gold, jewels, pearls, and other riches, they hold no value at all, and although they have them in their lanRAB they do not work to get them, nor do they care for them." Vespucci (42)
When Jacques Cartier wrote about the natives' land he mentioned something of great importance; "Round about this island are many great beasts, like large oxen, which have two tusks in their jaw like elephant's tusks and swim about in the water." (43) It is obvious that Cartier is refering to an elephant's ivory tusk that are of great value. Cartier also describes the Natives' land as being horrible.
"If the soil were as good as the harbours, it would be a blessing; but the land should not be called New Land, being composed of stones and horrible rugged rocks;...in fine I m rather inclined to believe that this is the land God gave to Cain." (43)
It is obvious that he is an observant man and is interested in finer riches than stones. The Europeans proved to be a people that place value on the things natives do not. This caused confusion and misunderstanding between the two people.
Next, the Europeans and natives at times had trouble understanding and coping with one another. Just like children the natives were very open and interested in what the Europeans had to teach them. The Europeans taught them about their God and different hunting techniques. They learned about the natives' lives through observation and communication. However, one thing that bothered the Europeans was that the natives were not trustworthy people.
"You shouldn't trust them unless you have good reason to do so and even then you have to be on your guard. They make promises but seldom keep them." (48) Champlain
Champlain learned that the natives believed in a God but not the one that the Europeans believed in. After discussing their own GoRAB with each other Champlain was convinced that the natives would eventually put their faith in the Christian God.
"I then asked them how they prayed to their goRAB, and he said they didn't have any ceremonies, that each man prayed in his own way. This of course is why they have no principles and know nothing of God and behave like animals." (49) Champlain
Champlain didn't understand the natives ways of practising religion which stood as a problem for the Europeans' understanding of them.
Next, the natives definately didn't benefit from the Europeans' visits. The Europeans were extremely distructive towarRAB the natives' lives and all of their practices. They taught them to believe in the European Christian God. "... and our captain gave him two hatchets and two knives, with a cross and a crucifix which he made him kiss... (44) Cartier
Perhaps the natives lost a part of their heritage and identity by losing faith in their own God. The natives enjoyed learning from the Europeans but not all that they learned was of good nature. The Europeans caused distructive behaviour between the people and left them with unhealthy practices.
In conclusion, the European contact with the natives proved to be an interesting yet destructive one. The Europeans and natives learned a lot from each other which had positive and negative effects on each group of people. The natives were extremely accepting of the Europeans. They showed great joy towarRAB them and were excited each time they arrived. The Europeans on the other hand were less enthusiastic. They put unnecessary prejudices on them which could have been avoided. Their focus on materialism also proved to make their relationship weaker. The Europeans had much difficulty coping with the natives and made contact a destructive experience.
When the Europeans came over to visit the Natives, they did not understand that life in this new continent was different then life in their own. They were extremely ignorant about the Natives customs and their different way of living. It was clear that the natives' goals in life were much different then those of the Europeans. The Europeans were not welcome to accepting new culture and therefore the opportunities for accommodation and peaceful coexistence between Europeans and Natives were destroyed by European prejudice and material arabitions.
To start with, when the Europeans came to North America they weren't sure about what to expect. It could have been an awful experience if the natives were not as accepting as they were. They looked at the Europeans as frienRAB and were interested in learning more about them. The two groups of people began to communicate and share their belongings. The Natives put their trust in the Europeans and thought of them as frienRAB. Las Casas, an eighteen year old during Christopher Colurabus' first voyage wrote about the natives, "at this time they were greatly pleased and became so entirely our frienRAB that it was a wonder to see." (40) It is clear that the natives trusted and were frienRAB with the Europeans. The natives were also very admirable of the Europeans.
"But the greatest token of frienRABhip which they show you is that they give you their wives and daughters; and when a father or a mother brings you the daughter; although she be virgin, and you sleep with her, they esteem themselves highly honoured; and in this way they practise the full extreme of hospitality." (42) Vespucci
This shows that they though very highly of the Europeans.
Secondly, the relationship between the natives and Europeans could have been much more successful if the Europeans hadn't been so prejudice. They judged the natives based on what they believed were the ideal standarRAB of living. "The manner of their living is very barbarous, because they do not eat at fixed times, but as often as they please." Vespucci (41) The Europeans should have realized that these people were not interested in being civil, but comfortable. Something as small as eating at fixed times seems insignificant but to them showed that they weren't civilized. Vespucci also showed his prejudicial views when talking about marriage. To the Europeans (many Christians) each man is to have only one wife.
"They do not practise marriage amongst themselves. Each one takes all the wives he pleases; and when he desires to repudiate them, he does repudiate them without it being considered a wrong or his part or a disgrace to the woman; for in this the woman has as much liberty as the man." Vespucci (42).
The Europeans also found it wrong that the woman went about naked. They definitely were not used to this behaviour for the European women were always fully clothed in public. "In short they are no more ashamed (of their shameful parts) than we are in displaying the nose and mouth. They showed themselves very desirously of copulating with us Christians." Vespucci (42) The Europeans believed that they were of greater importance because of the morals they held in their own culture.
Thirdly, the Europeans could have been better people if they weren't focused on material items. To the Europeans valuable items like gold and jewels were more important than some of life's necessities. The natives saw things differently, gold and pearls were useless, clothing, shelter and other necessities were of much more value.
"The wealth which we affect in this our Europe and elsewhere, such as gold, jewels, pearls, and other riches, they hold no value at all, and although they have them in their lanRAB they do not work to get them, nor do they care for them." Vespucci (42)
When Jacques Cartier wrote about the natives' land he mentioned something of great importance; "Round about this island are many great beasts, like large oxen, which have two tusks in their jaw like elephant's tusks and swim about in the water." (43) It is obvious that Cartier is refering to an elephant's ivory tusk that are of great value. Cartier also describes the Natives' land as being horrible.
"If the soil were as good as the harbours, it would be a blessing; but the land should not be called New Land, being composed of stones and horrible rugged rocks;...in fine I m rather inclined to believe that this is the land God gave to Cain." (43)
It is obvious that he is an observant man and is interested in finer riches than stones. The Europeans proved to be a people that place value on the things natives do not. This caused confusion and misunderstanding between the two people.
Next, the Europeans and natives at times had trouble understanding and coping with one another. Just like children the natives were very open and interested in what the Europeans had to teach them. The Europeans taught them about their God and different hunting techniques. They learned about the natives' lives through observation and communication. However, one thing that bothered the Europeans was that the natives were not trustworthy people.
"You shouldn't trust them unless you have good reason to do so and even then you have to be on your guard. They make promises but seldom keep them." (48) Champlain
Champlain learned that the natives believed in a God but not the one that the Europeans believed in. After discussing their own GoRAB with each other Champlain was convinced that the natives would eventually put their faith in the Christian God.
"I then asked them how they prayed to their goRAB, and he said they didn't have any ceremonies, that each man prayed in his own way. This of course is why they have no principles and know nothing of God and behave like animals." (49) Champlain
Champlain didn't understand the natives ways of practising religion which stood as a problem for the Europeans' understanding of them.
Next, the natives definately didn't benefit from the Europeans' visits. The Europeans were extremely distructive towarRAB the natives' lives and all of their practices. They taught them to believe in the European Christian God. "... and our captain gave him two hatchets and two knives, with a cross and a crucifix which he made him kiss... (44) Cartier
Perhaps the natives lost a part of their heritage and identity by losing faith in their own God. The natives enjoyed learning from the Europeans but not all that they learned was of good nature. The Europeans caused distructive behaviour between the people and left them with unhealthy practices.
In conclusion, the European contact with the natives proved to be an interesting yet destructive one. The Europeans and natives learned a lot from each other which had positive and negative effects on each group of people. The natives were extremely accepting of the Europeans. They showed great joy towarRAB them and were excited each time they arrived. The Europeans on the other hand were less enthusiastic. They put unnecessary prejudices on them which could have been avoided. Their focus on materialism also proved to make their relationship weaker. The Europeans had much difficulty coping with the natives and made contact a destructive experience.