Hollitz Discussion Ch 4

Myeisha McCalister

History 1301-039

Hollitz Essay 1

        After carefully examining Chapter 1, “Indians and the Settlement of America I am able to comprehend the authors perspective about the Indian civilizations. Furthermore, it emphasizes ways that authors portray history in textbooks. The chapter provides unique perspective from four different authors. Specifically, thinking through the past, points out the bias towards the Indians and colonist. It focuses on attitudes about Indians in the twentieth century influenced how historians view Amerinds today. Although the Indians were viewed as inferior and barbarians, many anthropologists are exposing the significant roles that they Amerinds displayed upon settling. The authors different views and bias perspective about the Amerinds helped me formulate my opinion regarding the roles of the Indian tribes.

The authors had many different views about the colonist. After analyzing the first author, David Muzzey, I can imply David believe the colonist were victims of the brutal Indians. His diction portrayed the Indians as cruel. He described the tribes as, “copper-colored barbarians or savages” (Hollitz 11). Author, David Muzzey stated that the European settlers were responsible for introducing civilization into the New World. In fact, he doesn’t give the Indians credit for discovering the New World. “Nowhere had they risen above the stage of barbarism” (Hollitz 12). He basically said the Indians had not made any civilizing influences. They had been an obstruction to be removed. I have concluded that author David Muzzey views the Amerinds as inferior savages, that blocked the colonist from prospering.

Although the second author, Thomas Bailey, and Muzzey shared similar perspectives, Bailey pointed out the religion. Upon the settlement in James Town, they wanted to covert the Indians to Christianity. The English settlers are baffled by the Indians lifestyle and want them to be saved by Christ. The settlers then began to retaliate against the Indians because they refuse to convert into Christianity. Norton, the third author had dissimilar views about the Indians. He disagreed with the other authors beliefs. Norton believes that the colonist would not have survived without the discoveries by the Indians. Due to the drought in the area the settlers expected to rely on local Indians for food and tribute. The drought made it difficult to support crops and polluted their water.