Native Americans tribes, although not cohesively unified in a single nation, established numerous communities based on their own traditions and cultures long before the arrival of Europeans in 1492. As Spain, England, and France fought for land claims in the Americas to further enhance their political and economic power, they brought new diseases, technology, political structures, social hierarchies, and religion—all of which the Native Americans were previously unexposed to. While all nations brought disease and religion, their relationships with the indigenous populations contrasted with the frequency of violent confrontations, economic motives, and social interactions—all of which were based on the Europeans’ willingness to accept and accommodate
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For instance, the Spanish viewed indigenous societies as “primitive” and sought to civilize them, introducing new political and social structures. Because entire groups of men, rather than families, settled in New Spain, they frequently married Native American women. As a result of intermarriage, a strict hierarchy based on race was established. Groups like the genizaros, mulattos, coyotes, mestizos, and creoles were organized into a social pyramid with each person placed in a caste (“Intermarriage…”). Unlike the Spanish who wished to incorporate native populations in their society, the English were unwilling to interact beyond trade. In contrast to New Spain and New France, entire families from England traveled and settled in America. Therefore, the English rarely intermarried with the natives, with John Rolfe and Pocahontas being one of the few exceptions. English settlers pushed unwanted native populations inland, isolating them from New England society (Carson). Their practice of isolation continues today, with reservations which segregate Native Americans from traditional American communities. The French, like the Spanish, viewed the indigenous people as part of their society. Not only did the French form powerful wartime and trade alliances, they adapted to native culture, rather than forcing the natives to assimilate to French culture. French leaders, like Samuel Champlain, encouraged their men to live among the indigenous population, even with their distant trading partners (Cassel). Near Montreal and Louisiana, annual meetings held in early spring allowed the French and Native Americans to exchange gifts and celebrate. The French proved their talent in negotiations with the Peace of 1701—in which thirteen hundred Indians from the Atlantic to Mississippi mutually agreed to live peacefully (Cassel). Contrasting to the Spanish and English, French
For instance, the Spanish viewed indigenous societies as “primitive” and sought to civilize them, introducing new political and social structures. Because entire groups of men, rather than families, settled in New Spain, they frequently married Native American women. As a result of intermarriage, a strict hierarchy based on race was established. Groups like the genizaros, mulattos, coyotes, mestizos, and creoles were organized into a social pyramid with each person placed in a caste (“Intermarriage…”). Unlike the Spanish who wished to incorporate native populations in their society, the English were unwilling to interact beyond trade. In contrast to New Spain and New France, entire families from England traveled and settled in America. Therefore, the English rarely intermarried with the natives, with John Rolfe and Pocahontas being one of the few exceptions. English settlers pushed unwanted native populations inland, isolating them from New England society (Carson). Their practice of isolation continues today, with reservations which segregate Native Americans from traditional American communities. The French, like the Spanish, viewed the indigenous people as part of their society. Not only did the French form powerful wartime and trade alliances, they adapted to native culture, rather than forcing the natives to assimilate to French culture. French leaders, like Samuel Champlain, encouraged their men to live among the indigenous population, even with their distant trading partners (Cassel). Near Montreal and Louisiana, annual meetings held in early spring allowed the French and Native Americans to exchange gifts and celebrate. The French proved their talent in negotiations with the Peace of 1701—in which thirteen hundred Indians from the Atlantic to Mississippi mutually agreed to live peacefully (Cassel). Contrasting to the Spanish and English, French