Questions and Answers
What is otherness and how does it shape opinions of other groups?
What actions do the English do to the Irish?
The British call the Irish 'rebellious people,' why are the British actions toward the Irish not seen as rebellious?
Why did the English wish to see the land almost empty of Irish?
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Would you describe the actions of the British against the Irish as 'civilized' or 'savage'?
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What is the most important factor in whether someone calls another group 'civilized' or 'savage'?
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List and explain two similarities between the relations of the English/Irish and the English/Native Americans.
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List and explain one difference between the relations of the English/Irish and English/Native Americans.
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What was life like for the Powhatan before the British arrived?
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What do you still not know about their lives before the arrival of the British?
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What reasoning would the English have for demanding yearly payments of corn and deerskin from the Powhatan?
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Describe one example of brutal English treatment toward the Powhatan.
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How could someone forgive a person if they did to their children what the British did to the Powhatan?
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What were the actions of Captain William Tucker?
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What do Captain William Tucker's actions say about the values and goals of the British?
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What would give the quote on page 34 more context?
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What reasoning does William Bradford give for smallpox to affect 95% of the population of Native Americans?
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How was religion used to legitimize violence and conquest against the Native Americans?
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How does the violence used by the colonists compare with the teachings of Jesus Christ?
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Why are the writings of Mary Rowlandson an important historical document for us today? What bias does it contain?
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How might history be different if every New Englander had read Mary Rowlandson's book? Why?
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What was the likely purpose of the letter the Mohegan Tribe sent to the government of Connecticut?
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How did Thomas Jefferson use his political power to affect the lives of Native Americans? (Cite 2 examples minimum)
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What was Thomas Jefferson's ultimate vision for Native Americans?
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Do you think he would be satisfied by their condition today? Why or why not?
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Why do you think the Seneca were kind to Mary Jemison?
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BONUS: Why was England separate from Catholic countries such as Spain and France?
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Study Notes
Otherness and Group Perceptions
- Otherness refers to the perception of different groups as fundamentally alien, often shaping negative opinions about those groups.
- It fosters stereotypes and prejudices, influencing societal attitudes towards ethnicity, culture, and behavior.
English Actions Toward the Irish
- The English employed violent suppression tactics, including land seizure and forced displacement.
- Policies aimed at cultural erasure were common, undermining Irish traditions and identities.
British Labeling of the Irish
- The British labeled the Irish as "rebellious" largely to justify their oppressive actions.
- This double standard exposes a bias in their definition of rebellion, aligning it with resistance against colonial domination.
English Desire for Empty Land
- The English sought to depopulate Irish land to facilitate settlement and exploitation of resources.
- The empty land would allow for easier control and integration into British economic systems.
Civilized vs. Savage Perspectives
- British actions against the Irish can be viewed as savage due to their brutality and dehumanization.
- This label contrasts with how the British perceived their own actions as necessary for civilization.
Key Factor in Civilization Judgment
- Perceptions of civilization vs. savagery often depend on power dynamics and cultural superiority.
- The dominant group frequently defines norms and standards of what is considered civilized behavior.
English/Irih and English/Native American Relations
- Both relations involved land dispossession and cultural suppression.
- Violence and hostilities were justified through racial superiority narratives in both cases.
Difference between English/Irih and English/Native American Relations
- The scale and method of colonization differed, with the English having deeper settler colonies in North America compared to Ireland.
Life of the Powhatan Before British Arrival
- Powhatan society was structured with strong leadership and complex agricultural practices.
- The community thrived on trade, diplomacy, and a rich cultural heritage before European contact.
Unknown Aspects of Powhatan Life
- Specific traditions, spiritual beliefs, and social structures remain less documented and could alter contemporary understanding.
English Demands on Powhatan
- The English rationalized demanding corn and deerskin as tribute to assert dominance and control over local resources.
Brutal English Treatment of Powhatan
- An example includes the violent treatment during conflicts, depicting the British as oppressive invaders.
- Descriptions of such actions could lead to characterizing the perpetrators as barbaric or cruel.
Forgiveness for British Actions
- Forgiveness could stem from a recognition of historical context or an unwillingness to perpetuate cycles of violence.
Actions of Captain William Tucker
- Tucker's actions included negotiating treaties while engaging in violence to assert colonial dominance over Native Americans.
Values Reflected in Tucker's Actions
- His conduct illustrates the colonial priority of expansion and resource acquisition over ethical consideration of native lives.
Context for Quote on Page 34
- Additional context could include the historical background of the conflict or personal narratives of affected individuals.
Smallpox Impact on Native Americans
- Bradford pointed to the lack of immunity due to isolation from diseases as a major factor leading to the catastrophic death toll.
Religious Justification for Violence
- Religious beliefs were manipulated to rationalize violent conquests, often framing them as divinely sanctioned missions.
Violence vs. Teachings of Jesus Christ
- Colonist violence starkly contradicted Christian teachings of love, compassion, and non-violence.
Importance of Mary Rowlandson's Writings
- Rowlandson's narratives provide insights into colonial attitudes and experiences during conflicts with Native Americans, reflecting biases against them.
Potential Historical Impact of Rowlandson's Book
- If widely read, the book might have fostered empathy and understanding, possibly altering colonial attitudes towards Native Americans.
Purpose of Mohegan Tribe's Letter
- The letter likely aimed to seek recognition or restitution from the Connecticut government for injustices suffered.
Thomas Jefferson's Political Influence on Native Americans
- Jefferson advocated policies of assimilation while simultaneously fostering land dispossession through the Louisiana Purchase and Indian Removal Acts.
Jefferson's Vision for Native Americans
- He envisioned the assimilation of Native Americans into American society, promoting agriculture and citizenship while erasing tribal identities.
Reflection on Jefferson's Satisfaction Today
- His potential dissatisfaction stems from the continued marginalization and struggles faced by Native Americans today.
Kindness of Seneca to Mary Jemison
- The Seneca's kindness could be explained by shared experiences of conflict with colonial powers and a cultural emphasis on kinship and community.
Bonus: England's Separation from Catholic Countries
- England's separation was largely driven by political and religious conflicts, notably the Protestant Reformation, establishing a distinct national identity apart from Catholic nations.
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Description
Explore key concepts from Chapter 2 of 'Removing the Savages.' This quiz focuses on the themes of otherness, colonial actions, and perceptions between the British and the Irish. Test your understanding of how historical narratives shape opinions and behaviors towards different groups.
