Seeing Red: European Perceptions of Native Americans By William Miskinis

I. Stereotypes What is a stereotype?

I. Stereotypes A stereotype is a broad generalization of a particular group of people. The generalization is usually negative.

II. Savages During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Europeans made first contact with Native Americans. Many Europeans, both in Europe and North America, considered the Native Americans to be savages. What do you think is meant by the word “Savage”?

II. Savages Europeans stereotyped Native Americans as savages who were lazy, ignorant and violent.

III. Noble Savage Some Europeans had a different stereotype for the Native Americans. They considered them to be Noble Savages.

III. Noble Savages When Europeans considered Native Americans as Noble Savages, they thought all Native Americans were ignorant and technologically backwards, but pure of heart and law abiding.

III. Noble Savages This perception was in part encouraged by Thomas Harriot, an Englishman who wanted to convince his king to support colonization of the New World. He wrote A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia

III. Noble Savages The following images, engraved by a man named Theodor de Bry, are taken from Harriot’s book. Keep in mind Harriot’s purpose as we examine the images!

IV. Why Stereotype? But WHY did Europeans stereotype Native Americans either as savages or noble savages?

IV. Why Stereotype? If Europeans thought that Native Americans were savages, it gave them justification to be prejudiced against them, to steal from them, even to harm them.

IV. Why Stereotype? If Europeans convinced other Europeans that Native Americans were Noble Savages, then Europeans might support colonization as a way to trade with Native Americans.

Review 1. What was the Savage Stereotype? 2. What was the Noble Savage Stereotype? 3. Why did Europeans create these stereotypes? 4. Do these stereotypes still exist today?