Since the early days of American discovery by Christopher Columbus and its Native
peoples, the European settlers have never stopped learning about Indian life, culture,
personality and how to cope with the cultural differences that seemed so difficult to reconcile.
Since then, there have always been various opinions about the cultural differences between
the New and the Old World´s civilization. Confusion, scepticism, denigration and war have
always accompanied the relation between Native people and European settlers until present
time. Within this paper these perceptions of the Indian life, as well as the Indian view of the
strangers from the Sea shall be examined and evaluated. The most interesting question to ask
will be: how and most of all why did the image of the Indian people develop from the 15th
century and the discovery of American Natives to Benjamin Franklin´s “Remarks Concerning
the Savages of North America” in 1784 and who or what reason caused this change in the
minds of the people? [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Indian images throughout the centuries
- 15th and 16th century perceptions
- 17th and 18th century perceptions
- Benjamin Franklin´s “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the evolving perceptions of Native American peoples by European settlers from the 15th century to Benjamin Franklin’s “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America” in 1784. It explores how and why these perceptions shifted over time, focusing on the interplay between European expectations, initial encounters, and the consequences of colonization.
- The development of the “noble savage” image and its evolution
- The impact of European colonialism on Native American culture and perceptions
- The role of religious beliefs and cultural differences in shaping perceptions
- The influence of trade relations and economic interests
- The emergence of denigration and prejudice against Native Americans
Chapter Summaries
The introduction provides a historical overview of European perceptions of Native Americans, highlighting the challenges of reconciling cultural differences. Chapter 2 explores these perceptions throughout the centuries, beginning with the early explorers' expectations and the initial interactions with Native populations. This section examines the development of the “noble savage” image and the consequences of European exploitation and the subsequent rise of prejudice and denigration. It investigates the impact of trade and the changing dynamics between the two cultures.
Keywords
The main keywords and focus topics of this paper are: Native American perceptions, European colonialism, cultural differences, the “noble savage,” trade relations, religious beliefs, denigration, and prejudice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the image of Native Americans change between the 15th and 18th centuries?
The image shifted from initial curiosity and the "noble savage" trope to widespread denigration, prejudice, and conflict as European colonization intensified.
What is Benjamin Franklin's "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America"?
Published in 1784, it is a satirical and critical essay that challenges European prejudices by highlighting the civility and complex social rules of Native Americans.
What role did religious beliefs play in shaping perceptions?
European settlers often viewed Native Americans through the lens of Christianity, sometimes seeing them as souls to be saved and other times as heathens to be conquered.
How did trade relations influence the view of Native peoples?
Initial trade fostered cooperation and mutual learning, but economic interests eventually led to exploitation and exacerbated cultural tensions.
Why was the term "savages" used by European settlers?
The term was a tool of denigration used to justify land seizure and the imposition of European culture, regardless of the actual complexity of Native social structures.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Höfer (Author), 2002, Indian perceptions - From 15th century to Benjamin Franklin´s "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/19868
