Topic 2.5
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📍Topic 2.5: Interactions Between American Indians and Europeans
📖 AMSCO p.54 - p.58
Main Idea
⭐ From the beginning, European countries saw each other as rivals for gaining power in the Americas and viewed the Native American tribes as inferior. In response to the power struggles between the countries, various tribes would join forces in order to defend themselves from the invading people. This led to the relationships between Native American tribes and European nations undergoing significant shifts as a result of political and territorial disagreements.
Key Timeline
Timeline of Interactions Between The Colonies and The Native American Tribes
Image Courtesy of Anaya
Things to Know
Conflict in New England
- the New England colonies faced threats of attacks from Native Indian tribes, the Dutch, and the French
- Four New England colonies (Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and New Haven) formed a military alliance for mutual protection, which was known as the New England Confederation (NEC).**
- The NEC allowed the colonists to win Metacom’s War, a vicious conflict between several tribes and the colonists, over land encroachments and long-standing rivalries.
Conflict in Virginia
- Nathaniel Bacon, a poor farmer in Virginia, led a rebellion against Sir William Berkeley’s government.
- Despite it being short-lived, Bacon’s rebellion highlighted important issues in the colonies, such as class differences between the wealthy and poor, conflict between the colonists and American Indians, and resistance to royal control
Spanish Rule and the Pueblo Revolt
- Through the **encomienda system, Spain's economic strategy for its colonies was to compel Native Americans to work for them
- They also had aggressive programs to convert Native Americans to Christianity
- The force led to the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, where various Pueblo tribes united to fight against the Spanish rule
- Many died and the Spanish were driven out. However, after regaining control once more in 1692, the Spanish established less harsher policies and accommodated the Native Indian tribes in the area
Terms to Remember
| Term | Definition + Significance |
|---|---|
| New England Confederation | A military alliance that was created by Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and New Haven in 1643 for mutual protection against threat. In its brief span of four decades, it set a crucial precedent for colonies joining forces with a shared goal. |
| Metacom’s War (King Phillip’s War) | Fought between 1675 and 1676, it was a conflict between Native American tribes and colonists over land. Led by Chief Metacom (also known as King Philip), the battle led to hundreds of deaths and mostly ended tribal resistance in New England |
| Bacon’s Rebellion | Unsuccessful revolt led between 1676 and 1677 against the Virginia colony administrator, William Berkeley. Led by Nathaniel Bacon and a group of settlers who were frustrated with the colonial government's lack of protection against Native American attacks. This led to increased class tensions and challenged royal authority |
| Encomienda system | Spanish labor system that granted settlers the right to forced labor from the Indigenous communities in exchange for providing them with protection |