History Response
Mamadou
Europeans perceived Africans and Native Americans as the “other” their way of life and religion was a sharp contrast from that of the Europeans. You have provided clear documentation of the European’s world view of the indigenous communities. Since European culture was rooted in Christian and Capitalist values, they perceived Native American and African land-use practices, gender relations and religious practices as backward or savage. You’ve provided the three areas focused on and that is land use, gender relations, and religion. Your insight is quite comprehensive and I enjoyed reading your essay.
Richard
Different indigenous nations inhabited North America. This is an important observation since the term “Native American” is an umbrella word that bundles different communities with different cultural systems and belief systems into one group. That said, it is clear that Europeans who came to the New World did not have a clear understanding of Native Americans or Africans. As you have pointed out, they perceived the structure of the Native American society as irregular because the European society was dominated by patriarchy. There were clear expectations of women and men in European society while Native American society had roles divided between men and women. As you have documented, Europeans judged other communities based on what was accepted in European society. Since they perceived Native Americans and Africans as the “other” they decided to dominate them which led to the Europeans gaining control over Native American and African lands while subjecting members of Native American and African communities to servitude and slavery.