ENCOUNTERS AND FOUNDATIONS TO 1800 Native Americans
The first relationships between American Indians and European settlers involved barter and trade
Unfortunately, European settlers brought diseases for which the Indians had no immunity. Often, these diseases would wipe out entire communities.
Already established but depleted Indian villages were claimed and re-established as European colonies. This was the case for Jamestown, Plymouth, Salem, Boston, Providence, Philadelphia, and many others
Colonists and explorers alike wrote home about the Americas’ vast resources, causing other Europeans to want to settle there
NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE Written language was not invented for Indians until the 1800’s. Stories and legends were told orally, often ceremoniously around fires
Native American culture was deeply connected to the earth, which is reflected in the stories and legends they passed down. In many cases, spirituality was reflected in nature.
THE SKY TREE