When Europeans and Indians came together in North America, a melding of cultures had to take place. This melding of culture took place not once, but three times in total: once for every new European culture that came to power in the middle ground. When people think of this time in history, they often think of Native American culture being destroyed, or at the very least, absorbed and overwhelmed by European culture. However, when interacting with all three governments, French, British, and the United States, Native Americans were active participants in the creation and destruction of the middle ground.
One example of Native American creation of the middle ground is found the sexual relations of French men and Algonquin women. Prior to …show more content…
The transfer of this relationship did not happen simply because there was no alternative view presented. French Jesuit Priest criticized the sexual practices of, not only hunting women, but also the sexual practices of native peoples as a whole, but with little effect on their societies. The conclusion that must be drawn from this is that the Algonquin cultural practice won out in a contest of viewpoints. Furthermore the viewpoint was not in a area of meat choice; it was interested in an area that was essential to trade between the Algonquin and the French, which had to be navigated in order for both groups to survive.
A second example of Native American people building the middle ground in which they lived comes from the British area, specifically the Pequot War. During this conflict body parts of enemies were exchanged between the British and their Native American allies, and while the practice of taking and displaying body parts from enemies was not solely Native American, they currently left their mark on the …show more content…
Native Americans played a major role in shaping the middle ground, often a bigger roll than their European counterparts. Two examples of this are the sexual relations between the French and Algonquin, and the exchange of body parts between the British and Algonquin. Furthermore, the example with the United States show that even when their control was usurped, the Native Americans never accepted the role of passive observer. Native Americans constantly fought to influence their ever-changing
One example of Native American creation of the middle ground is found the sexual relations of French men and Algonquin women. Prior to …show more content…
The transfer of this relationship did not happen simply because there was no alternative view presented. French Jesuit Priest criticized the sexual practices of, not only hunting women, but also the sexual practices of native peoples as a whole, but with little effect on their societies. The conclusion that must be drawn from this is that the Algonquin cultural practice won out in a contest of viewpoints. Furthermore the viewpoint was not in a area of meat choice; it was interested in an area that was essential to trade between the Algonquin and the French, which had to be navigated in order for both groups to survive.
A second example of Native American people building the middle ground in which they lived comes from the British area, specifically the Pequot War. During this conflict body parts of enemies were exchanged between the British and their Native American allies, and while the practice of taking and displaying body parts from enemies was not solely Native American, they currently left their mark on the …show more content…
Native Americans played a major role in shaping the middle ground, often a bigger roll than their European counterparts. Two examples of this are the sexual relations between the French and Algonquin, and the exchange of body parts between the British and Algonquin. Furthermore, the example with the United States show that even when their control was usurped, the Native Americans never accepted the role of passive observer. Native Americans constantly fought to influence their ever-changing