Abstract This paper looks at the arrival of Europeans on North American shores with respect to the way that it affected the lifestyle of Native Americans. It focuses on the diseases introduced to North America by these Europeans. The paper begins by providing a background to the way of life of the Native Americans before the arrival of the Europeans. It then turns to the arrival of epidemics in North America, responsible for Native Americans suffering higher mortality rates than at any other time in human history. The most common diseases introduced to the "New World" at the time are discussed as are the affect these diseases had on the Native American mortality rate. The paper then turns to the way that the lifestyle of Native Americans was affected by these diseases. It speaks of the weakened ability to resist colonization and the Europeanization of Native American culture. It concludes by proposing the argument that the introduction of these epidemics was not accidental, and that they were intended to weaken the defenses of Native Americans against the colonizers.
From the Paper "In early America, when people of three continents came together, the Native Americans were dramatically affected by epidemics, suffering higher mortality rates than any other time in human history. (Geier, 1991) People from Latin America, North America and Europe merged, each carrying and introducing diseases indigenous to their own societies.
"When the Native Americans first encountered common European diseases like smallpox, measles and dysentery, millions died. In extreme cases, 90 percent of certain Indian tribes died as European epidemics swept through their villages."
Abstract This paper discusses how the first peoples of Southern New England were the American Indians and how their lives were radically altered during the 17th century as their culture came into conflict with that of the Europeans. It examines the original culture of the area and looks at what made the region attractive to the Europeans who displaced the natives. It explores how the final outcome of European incursions into the area was the result of the traditional native settlement patterns and the ways in which these interacted with the specific goals of the Europeans. It shows how the displacement (and often murder) of Native Americans by European and later white Americans tends to be treated as if it were all a single phenomenon when in fact the displacement of natives by whites varied from place to place and across time depending on the specific cultures that came together with the desire to occupy the same land.
From the Paper "Indians of this region, as noted above, certainly supplemented their food collection activities with horticulture. The major crops of the natives of this region were maize, kidney beans, squash, Jerusalem artichokes and tobacco. These were planted in fields from which the smaller plants had been cleared and the trees cut down (the stumps removed when the roots died). Spades were made of hardwood to help in the cultivation and fish were used as fertilizer (although this practice may have been borrowed from the Europeans)."
Abstract Discusses the responses of Native Americans to the arrival of Europeans after 1492. Variety of responses of different Nations of Native Americans. Superiority attitude of Europeans. Focuses on encounters between several Native American Nations and the Spanish & English settlers. Diffeent approaches to colonization of the 2 countries. Destruction of Indian way of living.
From the Paper "The responses of the various nations of Native Americans to the arrival of Europeans after 1492, and the manner in which they subsequently dealt with their presence, varied widely from one group to another. Responses to the encounter depended on the cultural characteristics of the different nations, on the economic and political circumstances in which they found themselves, and, to a considerable extent, on the same factors as they applied to the particular groups of Europeans they encountered. Just as there was no uniform Indian response to the encounter there were also significant differences in the ways the Spanish, English, French, and others approached the peoples whose land they were intent on occupying. A brief comparison of various encounters between several Native American nations and..."
Abstract This paper describes the origins of American popular music in European and African culture. The author claims that In effect, American music is a hybrid of musical movements from blues and spirituals to European folk music.
From the Paper "Much of American culture bears the mark of the melting pot effect. Essentially a land of immigrants, America has served, in many ways, as a palette from which popular culture draws an innumerable array of shades. As such, popular social trends often are a reflection of the hybrid mainstream instinct. Pop music, in its incubational phases, is highly indicative of that notion. This is particularly evident in ostensibly indigenous musical movements like blues/folk music and spirituals, both of which employ extensive European and African influences, social imports that create a tapestry of globally unique and distinctively American sounds."
Tags: art, jazz, music, race relations, rock, social traditional, values, blues, folk, Africian American
Abstract This paper discusses Jeremy Rifkin's book, "The European Dream". The paper presents Rifkin's idea that the American dream is being quickly replaced by the European dream. The paper examines Rifkin's thesis that America has lost its charm, its appeal, and almost everything it once symbolized; the new American generation is overweight, under-educated, and unnecessarily aggressive, with little or no regard for religion.
From the Paper "So we are all familiar with the proverbial American Dream. Whether it exists or not, whether it is attainable or not are questions that better to be left alone at this point because there appears to be another proverbial dream that has emerged that demands our attention. According to Jeremy Rifkin, the idea of American dream is not only outdated, it is also being quickly replaced by the European Dream. "While the American Spirit is tiring and languishing in the past," Rifkin writes, "a new European Dream is being born." (4). In his book, The European Dream, Rifkin lays down the thesis that America has lost its charm, its appeal and almost everything it once symbolized, the new American generation is overweight, under-educated and unnecessarily aggressive with little or no regard for religion. So the American Dream that revolved around tapping into opportunities, buying a nice home and amassing every kind of consumer good that one could possibly think of now sounds ?far too centered on personal material advancement and too little concerned with the broader human welfare to be relevant in a world of increasing risk, diversity and interdependence." "
Abstract This paper describes the differing beliefs and outlooks of the Native Americans versus the European Colonists in the early 1600s. This author evaluates their differing views on such topics as technology, religion, the environment, women's rights, and slavery. The paper gives an honest appraisal of both sides' views and prejudices about the other. The author concludes that these base differences between the two sets of peoples, the Europeans and the Native Americans, were what sparked the distrust held by both nations that endured for hundreds of years.
From the Paper "The European colonists and the Native Americans of North American had very different views on nearly everything they encountered in their lives. Living in vastly different cultures lead both groups to generally have two extremely different outlooks on four main topics; religious beliefs, the environment, social relations, and slavery, differences which the colonists used this to their advantage when conquering the peoples of the New World."
Abstract The architecture of North America spans many centuries and many distinct periods. This paper examines North American architecture from the pre-Aztec period up until the independence of the United States. The paper begins with an examination of Teotihuacan, in the Valley of Mexico and its influence the architecture of the Aztecs and other peoples in the pre European age. The paper then discusses native American architecture such as the pueblos of the American Southwest. Finally, the paper discusses architectural design and trends following the colonization of North America by European settlers and up until the Declaration of Independence.
From the Paper "As the King's representative, the Governor of the Virginia Colony was an individual positioned somewhere between the sacred and the profane. Later American architecture - particularly as one approached the Federalist Period - further extended this separation between the different spheres of existence. In the nation's new capital, even the government was broken down into distinct branches. The vast neoclassical bulk of the Capitol and the White House, located as they were at opposite ends of the monumental Mall, emphasized the distance between these two functions. The whiteness of the structures underscores the purity and virtue of the new system as did the restrained lines and severe order of the columns and other classical elements. The Federalist style proper continued the trend toward simplicity and the overt representation of the ideals of the New Republic. Designed by architect Samuel McIntire, the John Gardner House in Salem, Massachusetts, perfectly captures the new American emphasis. Its severe cubic plan and intensely regular facade suggest that it is the domestic sphere that advertises the rue values of the American people. The focus is on the centrally-placed entrance, and thin white Corinthian columns stand out against the structure's brick walls with their regular lines of windows and straight stringcourses. In this paean to Federalist architecture and socio-cultural vales, the theme of North American architecture has come full circle. Cosmic symbolism has been transferred from the meeting place of the overall community to the dwelling place of the individual - a fitting monument to America's embrace of the individual."
Abstract The paper examines how David Stannard, in his book "American Holocaust: The Conquest of the New World" describes the European settlement in America as the most massive act of genocide in the history of the world, focusing on how the native Indian population were all but wiped out by white settlement. It evaluates how the author's thesis is that the perpetrators of the American holocaust based their actions on the same Christian ideology as those of the Nazi holocaust. It looks at how Stannard uses a variety of historical evidence to argue his thesis including newspapers, Congressional records and the journal entries of European settlers. It also analyzes how the author makes a strong argument for his case and how he makes a distinct the bias against the white settlers, with their actions seeming to be emphasized more than is necessary and them being presented as racist.
From the Paper "While the research is thorough, it does appear that Stannard is biased towards presenting the Indian population as better than the white people. In the first part of the book, Stannard describes the rich culture and the attitude of the native Indians. Stannard argues that they are a kind and generous people. This includes the argument that the Indian population were probably open to working with the white people, but were not given the opportunity. Stannard provides anecdotes to make this point. This includes stories such as one where a tribe low on food met another tribe without food. The first tribe shared their goods with the second tribe. By using such anecdotes, the author suggests that the Indians are the better people. This anecdote also compares the Indians with the white settlers. The Indians were able to accept another tribe as their own people, while the Americans were biased against those with differences. This is a common argument the author makes, often referring to the white settlers as racist."
Abstract This paper explains that Jean De Crevecoeur's "What is an American" presents an important historical precedent in defining the American Dream. The author points out that early America offered a wide variety of different farming lands, which gave hope to Europeans that were destitute in their native countries. The paper relates the importance of Crevecoeur's investigative historical approach helps define the experiences of these Europeans in how America had become, in his time, a safe haven for farming and a more opportunistic way of life.
From the Paper "This historical perspective relates am important theme of the way that Americans are defined in "What is an America" by Michel-Guillaume Jean De Crevecoeur. By using European cultural integration within the theme of being "American", Crevecoeur essentially reveals how opportunity has made America a nation of many cultures and ethnicities. In being a new nation that could welcome the destitute of Europe to begin new lives, early America becomes the 'dream' of wealth and prosperity for those that have the courage and industriousness to be pioneers. This historical perspective is worth reading due to the information gathering techniques used by Crevecoeur in relation to the American Dream."
Abstract This paper looks at Native American Women and focuses on the changes in life that the Europeans brought to Native American women, and the struggles that began. It further discusses the stereotypes that forever influenced these women's lives and relates how these misconceptions still affect Native American women of today.
From the Paper "The perceptions that have historically been applied to Native American women have often been that they have always been subservient beings, abused by their husbands, who have no choice in their personal destinies (Hoxie). Throughout time various individuals have contended that Native American women were mere shadows in the existence of tribal men, and that slavery was not uncommon for them because it was an element of the world that they were born into. Yet, the research will demonstrate that these philosophies about Native American women were subjective analysis of females that were unknown to those providing critique. It will further show that beneath these suppositions existed the lives of people that historically made tremendous contributions to their cultures, and who currently are the greatest strength that continue the traditions in the Native American tribes. "
This freshman paper shows how American civilization is probably the world's most peculiar civilization. As it came to replace the indigenous civilization of the native Indians, it also laid the foundations of a culture that was a mixture of several Europe
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 80.95
Abstract This freshman paper shows how American civilization is probably the world's most peculiar civilization. As it came to replace the indigenous civilization of the native Indians, it also laid the foundations of a culture that was a mixture of several European cultures and trends. The following paper discusses the culture, influence of European colonialism, African migrants and the native Americans with respect to its development into a civilization.
Tags: ARCHITECTURE / CONTEMPORARY AND HISTORICAL STUDIES, origins american civilization
Abstract This paper goes into great detail about Native American struggles: How the Europeans stole their land and how the government has been trying to assimilate them into mainstream society. It discusses many battles between the Natives and Europeans, as well as the many legal acts that have been created against them.
From the Paper "For centuries, Native Americans have dealt with hardships; it seems as though they are singled out. Native Americans have been viewed unjustly since early colonialism. Their land was stolen, given back, and so on. Criticism has plagued their credibility, pursuits, and dreams. Through treaties and warfare they have been forced to assimilate like White Europeans. They try to live soundly, peacefully, with no outside interference, but to no avail. As this paper will demonstrate, through policies, treaties, assimilation acts, and warfare, Native Americans have been ill-treated."
This paper discusses in detail James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans" and Charles Brockden Brown's "Wieland" and their contributions to the development of American literature.
Abstract The author reviews in detail the "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Wieland". She concludes that they are different in style and genre. Both Cooper and Brown contributed greatly to the development of a distinctly American literature. Cooper adapted the Romance; Charles Brockden Brown adapted the European Gothic novel to the American context. Cooper's influence is seen in frontier fiction; Brown's influence, in the works of Poe and Hawthorne.
From the Paper "James Fenimore Cooper wrote in the vein of European Romantic writers like Walter Scott, while Charles Brockden Brown recreated the new form of the Gothic novel. Both adapted the original forms to the American experience, which meant not only embedding them in the land but also shifting the focus from aristocratic European characters to the common man in the democratic social order in America. Both Cooper and Brown elevated the common man over any ideas about the superiority of the aristocracy and did so in the American setting."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the life and history of Michel Guillaume Jean de Crevecoeur. The paper focuses primarily on his essays 'Letters From An American Farmer'. According to the paper, this masterpiece provided useful information and perception of the "New World", and indeed, it helped to create an American identity in the minds of Europeans, by portraying an entire country rather than any local colony.
From the Paper "Obviously, the transformation is complete, and the American character is now shaped in all its facets. Maybe Crevecoeur was influence by John Locke's ideas, that is to say, the praise for freedom and democracy. This distinct identity, however, must be put into its historical context, since at that time, they were lots of Royalists, faithful to England, in New York. In this respect, we may wonder if Crevecoeur's views are not a bit generalizing. Indeed, everything seems to be portrayed in an extreme way: a utopian America is opposed to a tyrannical Europe. We will see in our last part that Crevecoeur's text has some limitations, and that maybe, the author does not take into account certain historical truths that would be interesting to mention."
Tags: farmer, european, settler, immigrant, land, culture, dream, agriculture, history
This paper looks at the results of the Southeastern Indians and the Powhatan of Virginia in the geopolitical and economic systems as those groups encountered the European colonialists in the eighteenth century.
Abstract The paper explains the difficulties faced by the Southeastern Indians and the Powhatan of Virginia as they attempted to integrate with the European colonists. The writer discusses how the failure of the Indians to emerge victorious in the struggle for integration was also to the decentralization of their cultures, as opposed to the highly organized and united cultures of the Europeans. The paper brings historical examples to back up this claim.
From the Paper "Despite European hegemony, "Powhatan culture remained more or less intact until well into the eighteenth century," because the Indians "were tenacious of their ancient way of life" (Rountree 144). Even when they lost much of their land, they were still able to maintain their culture (Rountree 144). However, that very tenacity and way of life were the main reasons they were ultimately overwhelmed by the Europeans. Only by becoming brutal and organized like the Europeans could they have longer sustained their culture, but in doing so they would have earlier lost the roots of that culture."
Tags: colonialism, trade, culture, hegemony, European
