Native American Pluralism Discussion Period 3
Characteristics of the Hohokam, Anasazi, Cahokia Animism More resourceful and conservation towards their environment Little to no desire to conquer Different conceptions of private property Valued communication with natural forces Environmentally friendly for religious reasons rather than ecological Driven by fear of spirits Dreams and visions important in their reality
Characteristics of the Pequot Designated gender roles Women work just as much as men, typically involved in farming and manufacturing of essentials Men built canoes and hunted Emphasis on sharing and spreading material wealth due to semi-nomadic nature government, - chief, sachem, representative of people. Chief controls property but representatives voice concerns to chief No political unity between ethnic groups Very efficient horticultural system
Characteristics of the Powhatan Women played the role of gatherers and tenders of crop Men hunted Chesapeake Bay region provided them transportation for trade Polytheistic culture worshipping, Okeus was the most worshipped because of fear component Algonquin warfare – go into tribe’s area, attack, retreat, and take casualties and still consider victory (strain of guerilla warfare Smaller chiefdoms under central leader Powhatan More of a military alliance where all answered to Powhatan Council of veteran warriors Shamans wielded advisory power as well
Characteristics of the Iroquois No central political power to govern people Relied on ceremonies to keep peace between factions Made up of five nations called the Great League that maintained autonomy Different perspective of themselves than others had of them. Early enemies are the French and greatest ally are Huron in beginning Heavily invested in the Fur Trade America’s Sparta Mourning Wars as a form of retribution/adoption Vengeance is valued
A Cultural Comparison (P3) Native American Groups European Groups Respect for nature Did not value material wealth Less naval and firearm technology Worshipped deities based on fear No centralized political unity Ritualized gender roles in occupation Attempt to control nature (profit driven) Expansionist and imperialist Innovative in exploration knowledge Largest motivations were material wealth and missionary zeal Ethnocentrism