Historical Scholarship: Native American Adaptation to Colonization Before Indian Removal

Native American Adaptation to Colonization Before Indian Removal

Abstract

When the first group of European settlers arrived on the shores of North America which was to become the United States, there had already been stories of the inhabitants of that area circulating across the pond. However, the idea that people already existed in the proposed location for their new settlement was not a deterrent. It may have even seemed a benefit, considering the settlers’ likely need for assistance in becoming situated in the “new” territory. In the reporting of the history of colonial America, not much mention has been made of the initial responses and challenges of the Native American groups who resided on the continent long before the arrival of the settlers. Although it is common knowledge that many perished due to their lack of immunity from viruses that traveled along with the European immigrants, not much is mentioned of how their lives, cultures, and traditions changed immediately after receiving new co-inhabitants. Many may also know of the land that was lost to the Indigenous people during this time, but not how they adapted to survive and managed to continue the legacies of which a few are still remembered and mentioned currently.

In this project, there are a few questions that will guide my research, such as:

·         How did the indigenous groups present at the arrival of European settlers accept and adapt to their new reality?

·         Did Native Americans attempt to impose their traditions and norms on the European settlers?

·         Were the indigenous tribes resistant to any imposition of beliefs and expectations of the new settlers?

 Methods of research for this examination will likely include primary sources such as photos, written transcripts of interviews and audio interviews, government documents, and memoirs. Secondary sources would incorporate scholarly journals, paintings and their written interpretations, previously done historical research or books, and other relevant sources. Journal reviews could also provide perspective on this subject.

Lastly, this analysis intends to provide insight into the way of life changes experienced by Indigenous Americans at the onset of British colonization of the North American continent. It will illustrate the micro-evolutions of Native American life coexisting with  European settlers as they developed colonies that developed into a nation of states and removed them from their hearths. This writing aims to highlight systems the Natives developed which helped them sustain their existence from the original colonies, through Indian Removal, on to the current state of Indigenous groups in America.

Scope of Research

In this analysis, I will be exploring the complex interactions between Native Americans and European settlers during the early days of colonization in North America. This period laid the groundwork for profound changes in Indigenous lives long before the forced removals of the 19th century. When the first European settlers arrived, they carried with them stories and assumptions about the land and its inhabitants. They were not deterred by the presence of Indigenous peoples; in fact, many settlers viewed the existing communities as potential allies. The settlers needed assistance to survive in this unfamiliar territory.

While much of colonial history focuses on the settlers' perspective, we must also examine how Native American groups responded to these new realities. Initial encounters often included cooperation, with Indigenous peoples sharing vital knowledge about the land, agriculture, and resources. However, this period also brought significant challenges. Many Indigenous peoples faced devastating epidemics, as they lacked immunity to diseases brought by Europeans. These losses were catastrophic, but they also prompted adaptations in their ways of life.

In my research, I’ve posed several key questions. How did Indigenous groups accept and adapt to this new reality? Did they attempt to impose their traditions on the newcomers? And how did they resist the expectations placed upon them? To answer these questions, I will rely on a range of research methods. Primary sources like photographs, memoirs, and government documents provide firsthand accounts, while secondary sources, including scholarly articles and historical analyses, help contextualize these experiences.

This analysis will reveal the micro-evolutions in Native American life as they coexisted with European settlers. Despite facing loss and displacement, many tribes developed innovative systems to sustain their communities and traditions. As we look at this history, it's essential to recognize the lasting legacy of Indigenous resilience. From the earliest colonies through the Indian Removal era, Native American groups have continuously adapted, preserving their identities and cultures against overwhelming odds. In conclusion, understanding the adaptations of Indigenous peoples during colonization is crucial for a complete narrative of American history. Their stories remind us of the strength and resilience that persist today. 

Sources

Irwin, Lee. “Freedom, Law, and Prophecy: A Brief History of Native American Religious Resistance.” American Indian Quarterly 21, no. 1.1997. p. 35–55. https://doi.org/10.2307/1185587.

Parker, Alan R. “The Historical Context of the U.S. Government’s Policies Regarding Indian People.” In Pathways to Indigenous Nation Sovereignty: A Chronicle of Federal Policy Developments, p.  1–12. Michigan State University Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.14321/j.ctt1x07zjf.5.

Talbot, Steve. “Spiritual Genocide: The Denial of American Indian Religious Freedom, from Conquest to 1934.” Wicazo Sa Review 21, no. 2 (2006): 7–39. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4140266.

Zaferatos, Nicholas Christos, and BRIAN CLADOOSBY. “An Overview of Federal Indian Policy and the Evolution of the Tribal Political Community.” In Planning the American Indian Reservation: From Theory to Empowerment, p. 13–34. Syracuse University Press, 2015. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1j1ns8h.8.

Zamir, Shamoon, Alexander B. Upshaw, and Edward S. Curtis. “Native Agency and the Making of ‘The North American Indian’: Alexander B. Upshaw and Edward S. Curtis.” American Indian Quarterly 31, no. 4. 2007. http://www.jstor.org/stable/30113979.