Indian-white relations before 1776

I read "Indian-white Relations in North America Before 1776." To prepare for the academic journal block for module 2. This source was interesting to me because America was not a nation yet during the discussed timeframe. In my opinion this work intends to show how the interaction the interaction between native tribes and whites varied by region and time.

 The interaction between the Norse and tribes such as the Thule Eskimos in Greenland and Beothuk Indians in Newfoundland was initially based on peaceful trade but quickly deteriorated into violence and Norse expulsion (Hoxie). European nations increased their exploration and colonization efforts in the Americas shortly after the Norse people ended their native trade practices. English and French traders established relationships with various tribes in the Northeast to exchange metal goods, glass and cloth for furs (Hoxie). European powers used their tribal alliances to aid in colonial expansion and to eliminate neighboring tribes.

I believe that this resource was used because of its ease of reading and its documented interaction between European and Native People across the American Continent. This work includes references to three separate sources allowing for reader verification of topic (Hoxie). Giving the reader the ability to independently read multiple references makes this a quality academic website.

The most surprising information that I found in regard to interactions between Native Tribes and European powers was the practice of supplying arms to some tribes. The Dutch supplied guns and ammunition to the Iroquois in the 1640s and 1650s that led to the destruction of the Petuns, Hurons, Eries, and Neutrals (Hoxie). The French armed their native allies with arms as well to aid in fighting non-allied tribes (Hoxie). I was not aware that European powers armed tribes and am surprised that the decision since I feel that conflict between the Europeans and native tribes was inevitable.

Native and white relations varied throughout the Americas but in the end the majority of Native Americans were killed or displaced as a result of the collision of the different cultures.

                                               

                                                         Work Cited

"Indian-white Relations in North America Before 1776." Encyclopedia of North American Indians, Houghton Mifflin. Ed. Frederick E. Hoxie. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996. Credo Reference. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.