I want to compare the way that the Spanish, French, and English interacted with the local Native Americans. Each country seemed to handle and deal with the natives in a different way. Each country was motivated by something different. For the Spanish, it was gold and riches. For the French, it was furs and land. The British were motivated by land. Each countries interest in commercial gain greatly influenced their relations with the Native Americans.
As stated in our textbook, “the Spanish forced tens of thousands of Indians to work in gold and silver mines that supplied the empires wealth.” (Foner p. 23) The Spanish desire for gold required many workers, and instead of transporting slaves from Africa the Spanish used the local Indians. Because the Spanish viewed the locals as “noble savages” (Foner p. 10) they justified placing them into slavery. Most of what the Spanish did to the Native Americans, like the destruction of the Mayan and Inca empires, was motivated by the riches to be gained. They justified their claim to the land by having the Pope divide the new world between Spain and Portugal. (Foner p. 25) While they claimed to be spreading the faith, it was really just to justify the destruction of a civilization. …show more content…
According to our textbook, the French came looking for gold and a Northwest Passage. (Foner p. 35) Because they could not find the Passage most of the French population in North America became fur trappers and explorers. In the textbook it says that the French prided themselves on being more humane than other countries. The fur traders relied on being friendly to the Indians so that they could sell their furs. (Foner p. 37) The French had no motivation to take land from the Indians once they realized there were no riches to be found. They treated the Indians well because they could not gain anything from them other than
As stated in our textbook, “the Spanish forced tens of thousands of Indians to work in gold and silver mines that supplied the empires wealth.” (Foner p. 23) The Spanish desire for gold required many workers, and instead of transporting slaves from Africa the Spanish used the local Indians. Because the Spanish viewed the locals as “noble savages” (Foner p. 10) they justified placing them into slavery. Most of what the Spanish did to the Native Americans, like the destruction of the Mayan and Inca empires, was motivated by the riches to be gained. They justified their claim to the land by having the Pope divide the new world between Spain and Portugal. (Foner p. 25) While they claimed to be spreading the faith, it was really just to justify the destruction of a civilization. …show more content…
According to our textbook, the French came looking for gold and a Northwest Passage. (Foner p. 35) Because they could not find the Passage most of the French population in North America became fur trappers and explorers. In the textbook it says that the French prided themselves on being more humane than other countries. The fur traders relied on being friendly to the Indians so that they could sell their furs. (Foner p. 37) The French had no motivation to take land from the Indians once they realized there were no riches to be found. They treated the Indians well because they could not gain anything from them other than