Native Americans By James Axtell - 990 Words

â€Å"The Indian presence precipitated the formation of an American identity† (Axtell 992). Ostracized by numerous citizens of the United States today, this quote epitomizes Axtell’s beliefs of the Indians contributing to our society. Unfortunately, Native Americans’ roles in history are often categorized as insignificant or trivial, when in actuality the Indians contributed greatly to Colonial America, in ways the ordinary person would have never deliberated. James Axtell discusses these ways, as well as what Colonial America may have looked like without the Indians’ presence. Throughout his article, his thesis stands clear by his persistence of alteration the Native Americans had on our nation. James Axtell’s bias delightfully enhances his thesis, he provides a copious amount of evidence establishing how Native Americans contributed critically to the Colonial culture, and he considers America as exceptional – largely due to the Native Ameri cans. As all authors are undeniably guilty of, James Axtell has a bias, and not one shamefully swept underneath the rug. The enlightening article Axtell has published remains not only as informational; it stands convicting in a sense. Unfortunately, the reader may find themselves lumped into the assemblage of Americans that regard the Native Americans as â€Å"pathetic footnotes to the main course of American History† (Axtell 981). Establishing his thesis, Axtell offers plentiful examples of how Native Americans contributed to Colonial America,Show MoreRelatedNative Americans And American History Essay969 Words   |  4 PagesNative Americans, or Indians, as they were mistakenly called, have been the â€Å"pathetic footnotes to the main course of American history† (Axtell 981). But James Axtell, the author of Colonial America without the Indians: Counterfactual Reflections, would beg to differ. He says that instead, Indians played a key role in making America great. James Mu rray gives another term to describe America’s greatness: America’s â€Å"exceptionalism.† Throughout his article Axtell makes many points as to why IndiansRead More a peoples history Essay example844 Words   |  4 Pagesare rarely taught about. Through historical examples, such as Christopher Columbus’ treatment of Native American Arawak Indians, Zinn supports his thesis. In Zinn’s book, he displays his displeasure with the way Americans are taught glorified history, as does another author, James Axtell, in his article, â€Å"Colonial America without the Indians: Counterfactual Reflections†, while in another article by Axtell, â€Å"The Moral Dimensions of 1492†, he states that although the truth should not be hidden, if stressedRead MoreAnalysis Of Axtell s Article On Who Invented Scalping939 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Native Americans that had first used scalping methods- especially as a means of protecting their continent from the European colonisers, BUT, also then moves on to consider the shifted and more recent viewpoint that it was, in fact, the Europeans, or more specifically the ‘White Man’, that had introduced scalping to these Native Indians and had even encouraged and persuaded them to adopt it. In terms of the structure of argument Axtell first delves into the newer belief that the Native peoplesRead MoreColonial Americas without the Indians1566 Words   |  7 PagesMerriam-Webster Dictionary. One may â€Å"regard the native Americans-if we regard them at all-as exotic or pathetic footnotes to the main course of American history†, according to Axtell. (Axtell, James.981) One may believe this because of what textbooks say. When mentioning Indians, History textbooks often infer the Indians do â€Å"nothing, resist†¦ [or make] obstacles to the white settlement [and or] victims of oppression†. The truth is the Indians play a huge part in American history regardless to what most textbooksRead MoreThe Crucial Role of Native Americans Essays740 Words   |  3 PagesFor the better part of American history, the Indians have been viewed and portrayed as dimwitted, helpless victims that aimlessly stood by while the Europeans conquered their land, but this view h as recently come under fire and has been overturned, as it was determined to be misleading and inaccurate. Two historians that have questioned the legitimacy of past beliefs regarding the Indians are Charles Mann and James Axtell. Each has made it plainly clear in their articles that the actions of IndiansRead MoreColonial Survival, Prosperity, and Entitlement in the New World1450 Words   |  6 Pagesand long-term impact on the native cultures and provided the Europeans with justification for the position of power of which they grabbed hold. The Europeans, however, owe the Native Americans a great debt of gratitude: without the Native Americans, Europeans would have either starved or left for lack of purpose and would not have developed any sort of economy – particularly one predicated in the contributions of their inferiors. The attempt to homogenize Native Americans as a single people or cultureRead MoreThe Invasion Of War By James Axtell Essay2160 Words   |  9 PagesJames Axtell’s â€Å" The Invasion Within† and Jill Lepore’s â€Å" The Name Of War† share the same realm as they both are excellent resources when it comes to the topic of Native American History. Though there subject matter is the same, there are stark differences between the two books that each give a unique perspective on the Native Americans and their involvement with the Europeans. Axtell uses â€Å" The Invasion Within† to tell the sorrowful tale of the Indians. The trials and tribulations they went throughRead More The Suppression of the Indian Religion and Culture in the New World2976 Words   |  12 Pagescontinent, there were native peoples living in communion with their environment and, very often, each other. Their religious practices were interwoven with their daily lives and religion held a prominent, significant place within their culture. The intrusion by Europeans into this peaceful world had profound effects on the Indians, especially their religious practices. What had been a peaceful, harmonic lifestyle changed dramatically that fall of 1492. The Europeans entered the native peoples worldRead MoreRole Of The Native American Indians2201 Words   |  9 Pages Seven Years War in North America: The Role of the Native American Indians Native American Indians played a larger role in the Seven Years War than they tend to be credited in many history books. While it cannot be denied that the Native Americans certainly were used as â€Å"pawns† of the European soldiers, this essential group was also motivated on its own to fight. However, there is little doubt that the Native Americans would not have had involvement in the Seven Years War withoutRead MoreThe Role Of The Native American Indians2082 Words   |  9 Pages2014 Seven Years War in North America: The Role of the Native American Indians Native American Indians played a larger role in the Seven Years War than they tend to be credited in many history books. While it cannot be denied that the Native Americans certainly were used as â€Å"pawns† of the European soldiers, this essential group was also motivated on its own to fight. However, there is little doubt that the Native Americans would not have had involvement in the Seven Years War without