Native Americans in Colonial America

Overview 12,000 years ago the first people known to come to the western hemisphere Took place in small groups 12 major language groups At least 250 major Indian Nations Semi-Nomatic 3000 BC –Agriculture movement –Rise of powerful indigenous peoples Aztec (Mexico) Pueblo (SW United States) Maya (Central America) Inca (Peru)

Impact of the Europeans 6-12 million Indians in Western Hemisphere at the time of European Explorers Anywhere between 20%-80% died of disease by Europeans For every 1 hostile encounter, there were 10 peaceful ones

Colonial Indian Wars First Tidewater War –1622 –Jamestown, VA –Smaller local tribes wanted to get rid of Jamestown –60-80% of people died –90% of buildings destroyed Second Tidewater War –1644 –Jamestown –Same as first TW war

Colonial Indian Wars Cont’d Pequot ‘War’ –1639 –Massachusetts and Connecticut –Pequot’s Peaceful tribe Had prime farm land –Settlers Sent military to take the land –Half Pequot’s were killed –Military took the land

King Phillip’s War 1675 Native American Chief Metacom organized several tribes to attack settlers –‘King Phillip’ Hit and Run tactics Lasted for a year before surrendering because of disease and famine Metacom was killed –Head exhibited for 20 years by the Puritans

Key Issues with Natives Movement westward and the number of Europeans doing so Cultural conflict Impact of technology Fur Trade –Nature changed from spiritual to economic –Nations began to spread out to look for fresh pelts –Increase in inter-tribal wars –Forced alliances with European nations

Disease Europeans wiped out most of the Native peoples through disease Small pox Influenza

Rise of Powerful Native Confederations Small tribes united with larger ones Creek Indians –Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi –Had at least 12 other tribes join Iroquois Indians –New York, Massachusetts, Most of New England