Text #1

Read the following sections in Chapter 2: “The ‘Tempest’ in the Wilderness: A

Why were the Native peoples viewed as savages by the Europeans? List AND
explain at least three reasons.

The Native Americans were first of all, seen as inferior because they followed pagan
religions and not Jesus Christ. In their view, people who were not Anglican Protestan
were the enemy. Second , they were viewed as inferior because they wore few clothes.
This was seen as lustful and almost animal-like, and so the English say them as lustful,
savage people. Another reason that they were seen as savages was because of the
majority of them living a nomadic lifestyle. The English saw living in cities as the
hallmark of the Westernized, clean, man, and saw those who didn’t as inferior.

Why is the land important for both the Native Indians and the European
colonizers? How did European colonizers justify the taking of Native lands? (Hint:
Were there any Native Indian tribes that were agricultural? How did this represent
a contrast to the stereotype that Native Indians lacked a work ethic?)

The land was important to the Native Ameircans because it was the land that they had
lived on for generations and represented their livelihood. In contrast, the European
colonizers justified the taking of native land for two key reasons: First of all, English
blood had been spilled on the land, thus representing a right to take it. Second of all, the
English found out that the soil in Virginia was good for farming, and felt tat the Native
Americans were not using it efficiently and that the land would be better off used by
them.

Why is King Philip’s War of 1675 - 1676 such an important turning point for the
Pilgrims? How were the colonists able to use this victory to demonize the Native
Indians?
King Phillips’ war was one of the first victories the colonists won against the native
Americans. After the war they were able to demonize the Natives further by showing
how they started this war and committed many atrocities like the rape and murder of
women and children. In addition, the English justified their own atrocities, showing how
they were against devilish people who deserved it anyway.

What were Thomas Jefferson’s views of the Native Indians? How did these views
culminate in his 1803 “Confidential Message” to Congress and what did this
“Confidential Message” say?

Thomas Jefferson saw Indians as good people, but ultimately he thought that they
should turn to and adopt the culture of the white man or be exterminated. To that end he
aimed to drive them from their lands and pursue them till they were “no longer on this
side of the Mississippi”. To that end his 1803 message to congress details how Native
Americans are to be made friendly to trade with, including abandoning hunting and
turning to agriculture.

Video and Text #2:

Watch “The True Messed Up Story of Pocahontas | Adam Ruins Everything”:

Watch some scenes from the animated movie “Pocahontas”:

Read “Pocahontas” from the National Park Service:

The Disney depiction, first, portrays Pocahontas as a young woman, while in reality she
was a mere child. In fact, she was around 10-12 years old when she encountered John
Rolfe and got married to him. It makes sense; a Disney movie can’t be encouraging
pedophilia.
Second, the Disney depiction creates a fictional relationship between Pocahontas and
John Smith. In reality, there was no real relationship between the two. The real
relationship in the story was between John Rolfe and Pocahontas, a completely
unrelated person.
Another difference is Disney choosing to portray her as a Native American who is proud
to be liike that, who loves Native culture. The reality is that she wasn’t like that.
Pocahontas was clearly not very accepting of Native culture nor did she want to live like
that, and to that end she even converted to christianity and was baptized as Rebecca

Text #3:

Read “How to Tell the Thanksgiving Story on Its 400th Anniversary”:

Read “The Plymouth Hero You Should Really Be Thankful for This Thanksgiving”:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-edward-winslow-plymouth-hero-th
anksgiving-180961174/Links to an external site.

Who is Edward Winslow and why is he so important to the story of Thanksgiving?

Edward Winslow was the man who essentially held up the Plymouth colony on his
shoulders. He carried out diplomacy between England and other Native american tribes.
He created the friendship between the Wampanoag and Pilgrim settlers. This affair led
to Thanksgiving, so in effect he is the one that brought it into play.
How is the story of Thanksgiving taught in most elementary schools? Why is that
telling inaccurate? List and explain at least two inaccuracies.

The story of Thanksgiving taught in most elementary schools was first of all, a great
feast around a large table with plentiful amounts of food. This is completely untrue, the
first thanksgiving meal was an extremely modest meal of a few fowl. Turkey wasn’t even
a big deal, the colonists may have eaten turkey but saw it as something
inconsequential. Another difference is that there was this generally festive air and an
energy of Thanksgiving. This is also a myth, most of the colonists just saw it as a meal
commemorating their harvest, and the whole thankful thing was an oversight.

What is the National Day of Mourning and why is it so important for particular
Native communities in America?

The National Day of Mourning is how many Native American communities celebrate
Thanksgiving. Instead of seeing it as a festivity, they see it as a way to reflect on the
injustices done to them. This is an important ritual for them for a couple reasons. The
reason I think is the greatest is the fact that another perspective in the Thanksgiving
story needs to be told and celebrated. The fact is, what happened after the festival was
violent and resulted in the displacement of many Natives and the murder of equally
many. When Native Americans mourn this day, they bring another perspective in an
America where Thanksgiving is viewed as a day Natives and Pilgrims simply sat around
a table and ate.