Amerindians, Settlers, and the American Revolution
Life of Amerindians: Pueblo, Apaches, Iroquois, and Dakota
Christopher Columbus, seeking a new route from Europe to Asia, arrived in America. Mistaking it for Asia, he called the native inhabitants “Indians.” For years, they were known by this name; only recently have the terms Native Americans or Amerindians become common.
The Pueblo
The Pueblo were the most organized of the Amerindian farming peoples. They lived in villages or towns, often built on cliffs for safety. They crafted clothing and blankets from cotton and used leather moccasins for foot protection. Their agriculture included maize and beans, often using irrigation.
The Apaches
Neighbors of the Pueblo, the Apaches were nomadic. They hunted deer and gathered wild plants in the deserts and mountains. They were also known for raiding Pueblo settlements for food. The Apaches were fierce and warlike.
The Iroquois
The Iroquois, located far from the Pueblo and Apaches, were skilled farmers, cultivating beans, squash, and many varieties of maize. They were also hunters and fishermen, living in permanent villages with each family having its own apartment. They were warriors, protecting their villages.
The Dakota
The Dakota were warriors who did not farm or build permanent houses. They were entirely dependent on buffalo, moving with the herds and using buffalo hides for their tents.
Life of the First Settlers in the USA
On May 20th, three ships arrived at the James River, named in honor of King James I of England. The settlers established Jamestown, but faced immense hardship. Many died due to lack of food and disease, as they were preoccupied with finding gold. These settlers were sent by the Virginia Company, a group of London investors hoping to find riches like pearls, silver, or gold. Of the 197 Englishmen who landed, only 53 survived the initial period. The years 1609-1610 were known as the “starving time.” Eventually, the settlers discovered tobacco.
Sir Walter Raleigh introduced dried tobacco leaves, and soon Virginia settlers were cultivating it. However, life remained difficult, with food shortages, diseases like malaria, and wars causing many deaths.
The Start of the American War of Independence
In April 1775, 700 British soldiers marched from Boston. Colonists, warned of their approach, gathered in Lexington. Seventy American militiamen, known as Minutemen, confronted the British. After being ordered to disperse, a shot was fired – the origin unknown – followed by volleys from the British soldiers. Eight Minutemen were killed. These shots marked the beginning of the American War of Independence.
The British continued to Concord, destroying supplies, but faced increased resistance on their return. Minutemen inflicted heavy casualties, killing 273 British soldiers.
Pilgrims’ Arrival and Life in America
In the 16th century, some Europeans, questioning the Catholic Church, followed the teachings of reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin. These reformers were called Protestants. In 1530, King Henry VIII established the Church of England.
Some Protestants, known as Puritans, sought a simpler form of worship. Facing persecution under King James I, a group fled to Holland, which offered religious freedom. Later, some of these Pilgrims decided to settle in America. They secured permission from the Virginia Company and, on September 16, 1620, sailed from Plymouth on the Mayflower. After a 65-day voyage, they reached Cape Cod (now Massachusetts) on November 9, 1620. The harsh winter proved deadly, with almost half the Pilgrims perishing. However, the survivors persevered, building houses and learning to fish and hunt with the help of Native Americans, who provided seed corn and planting techniques.
Religious Ideas of the Puritans
The Puritans of Massachusetts believed in a strong connection between government and religion. They enacted laws enforcing church attendance and punishing behaviors like drunkenness and adultery. Roger Williams, a Puritan minister in Salem, challenged this system, advocating for the separation of church and state. His criticisms led to his attempted arrest in 1535, but he escaped and founded Rhode Island, a colony promising religious freedom and the separation of church and state. The leaders of Massachusetts, however, condemned Rhode Island as “the land of the opposite-minded.”
The Stamp Act and Colonial Resistance
In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act, requiring colonists to purchase tax stamps for newspapers, licenses, and legal documents. Colonists, accustomed to having representatives determine their taxes, protested, arguing “No taxation without representation,” as they had no representatives in the British Parliament. Representatives from nine colonies met in New York, forming the “Stamp Act Congress” and organizing resistance.
Colonists boycotted British goods, and angry mobs attacked officials selling the stamps. The widespread opposition forced the British government to repeal the Stamp Act. However, they then passed the Declaratory Act, asserting their authority over the colonies. In 1767, new taxes were imposed on goods like tea, paper, and paint, but by 1770, all were removed except the tax on tea.
Multiculturalism Explained
Multiculturalism refers to the coexistence of diverse cultural traditions and ideas within a country, region, or state. For example, the United States is home to immigrants from various backgrounds, including Koreans and Hindus, among others. It encompasses not only Americans but also individuals with different cultures and traditions.
Modern Culture Explained
Modern culture is largely shaped by globalization and the ongoing changes within capitalist societies. It reflects how culture has evolved over time due to advancements in technology, education, customs, and the economy. The world today is vastly different from what it was a century ago.
Key Terms
- Culture: Behavior peculiar to mankind.
- Civilization: A high-order social organization.
- Estado (State): A political entity with international recognition.
- Identity: A political entity with international recognition.
- Values: Qualities highly esteemed by human groups.
- G-8: The most powerful countries in the world.
- Ethnicity: What is distinctively characteristic of a certain human group.
- People (Pueblo): A group of people from the same place, region, or nation; a synonym for nation.
- Tradition: Something transmitted from one generation to another.
- Modern Culture: Dominated by the concept of globalization.