The World Turned Upside Down :: essays research papers

When the Europeans established colonies in the New World, they sought to convert the Indians way of civilization. Their obsession was to spread Christianity and their culture throughout all of the colonies including the Indian villages. Some Indian people accepted these traditions because they felt as if they had no where else to turn. When the settlers invaded the new land they brought with them many diseases which wiped out many Indian villages and tribes. The Indians also had a hard time excepting the invasions on new territories, which led to many wars. This resulted in a large decrease of the Indian population, so some Indians turned to Cristianity and other European traditions. On the otherhand, many Indians insisted that European beliefs should exist only amongst themselves. They had no business trying to introduce a new religion when the Indian's traditions have been practiced for years. The Indians during this time were forced to accept the Europeans establishing new territories, even if they did not belong to them. As the Indian populations continued to decrease, some Indians intermarried with the Europeans and even the Africans to try and boost the population once again. This of course produced mixed children who were confused and could not decide which culture they would accept. This mix of people changed the ways of living for the Native Americans as well as the Europeans throughout early America. It is obvious to me that land was the largest reason for war among the Indians and the Europeans. It was simple: the Indians did not want to give up their land that they had claimed for so many years to a bunch of irrogant settlers who take what ever they want. The English felt that God had granted them the land and the Indians should be removed. However, the Native Americans also wanted something from the new colonists, trade. The American Indians were great hunters who collected many furs that were valuable trade products. After time some Indian tribes grew in debt with the settlers and the only way they could pay their debts is by giving them land. That is where the Europeans and the Indian's attitudes differ over land. The Indians were willing to sometimes negotiate about certain territories, where most of the Europeans were going to take the land whether the Indians were going to cooperate or not. Battles often broke out when larger Indian tribes felt they could fight for their land. Sometimes they were able to defeat the English in battles, but most of the time they were out numbered. During this time the English were very greety.