Comparison of early colonies
... develop friendly relations with the Indians, namely the Narragansetts, who “Since the English came, employed most of their time in catching Beavers, Otters and Musquashes, which they bring downe into the Bay, returning backe loaded with English commodities, of which they make double profit, by selling them to more remote Indians” (34). Such a relationship can be described by Bruce C. Trigger, as culturally rational, by which he claims the natives, did not let their traditions hold them back from seeking out dangers and opportunities between the Europeans and themselves. (48) However, as the English along with their inventions brought to New England, disease, several deadly epidemics spread among the natives and killed much of their population, which would become the turning point of their relationship. (49) After the epidemics, the Narragansetts were one of the few remaining tribes, who decided that siding with the English would be more beneficial, yet, that decision became the very cause of their overthrow. (52) The acquisition of such an alliance only gave the English more power and ease in overthrowing surrounding tribes, and ultimately, the Narragansetts. Clearly, the friendly first encounter of the English settlers is replaced by a power-driven takeover of New England. Much in the same way, the Spaniards and French took over parts of southern North America, and Canada, respectively. Unlike the English, who “went to great lengths to avoid ‘miscegenation’ and protect their supposed racial purity, both the French and Spanish “advocated intermarriages as a way of alleviating ethnic and cultural conflicts” (17-18). When the French arrived in Canada, “They [Natives] invited the Frenchmen to come into the houses which had been made ready for them, but neither side understood each other” (32). The French did not accept, yet, in return, offered a barrel of bread, which the Natives found distasteful and threw in the water. (33) Neither side accepted the gifts as both were unaware of each others’ traditions. Nonetheless, the French also founded a trade network with the Indians, who “were sufficiently dependent on the French for metal cutting tools” (44). However, as the French began to gain more land and power, the Indians became “appalled by what they saw as the greed, violence and bad manners of the French” (44). Soon after, epidemics would spread in the French settlements as well, killing much of the Indians, who sought after the Frenchmen in hopes of a cure. An example of this occurring can be seen he movie “Black Robe;” the French priest is asked to cure the Indians through baptism, in exchange, his life spared. In this sense, the Natives again believed that the Europeans possessed some supernatural powers. The Spanish being well aware of such Native beliefs went into New Mexico, portraying themselves as “supermen who controlled the forces of nature” (165). The Spanish friars knowing that rain was an important spiritua...