How and why did Europeans perceive the peoples and resources of the New World? How and why did Native Americans perceive the peoples and resources of the Old World?
People perceive others and resources in terms of what is useful to them.
Europeans wanted the resources of the Americas but had little use for the native inhabitants. Even attempts at enslaving natives wasn't successful for the Spanish.
Although the natives used some of the resources brought by Europeans, for the most part the newcomers were perceived as invaders.
To understand how and why Europeans perceived the peoples and resources of the New World, as well as how Native Americans perceived the peoples and resources of the Old World, we need to delve into the historical context of European colonization and the encounter between different civilizations.
1. How Europeans perceived the peoples and resources of the New World:
a. Discovery and Exploration: European explorers like Christopher Columbus sought a direct sea route to Asia, but instead stumbled upon the Americas in 1492. Initially, Europeans perceived the Native Americans as exotic, different, and primitive, mainly due to differences in customs, languages, and technology.
b. Exploitation and Extraction: As European powers, such as Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands, established colonies in the New World, they saw immense economic opportunities. Europeans began exploiting the vast resources of the New World, such as gold, silver, furs, timber, and agricultural products. This perception led to a strong focus on resource extraction and enslavement of Native Americans to work on plantations and mines.
c. Assimilation and Acculturation: Over time, attitudes towards Native Americans evolved. Some Europeans aimed to convert Native Americans to Christianity and "civilize" them according to European standards. This belief often led to forced assimilation, the imposition of European cultural practices, and the erasure of indigenous customs and languages.
2. How Native Americans perceived the peoples and resources of the Old World:
a. Contact with Europeans: Native Americans initially saw Europeans as mysterious and unfamiliar beings with advanced technologies like firearms, ships, and metal tools. People from different tribes reacted differently to this encounter, ranging from curiosity and diplomacy to suspicion and hostility.
b. Trade and Exchange: Native Americans engaged in trade with the Europeans, initially viewing this relationship as an opportunity for mutual benefit. They exchanged goods like furs, animal hides, food, and knowledge. However, as European colonization progressed, trade often became exploitative and imbalanced, leading to conflicts and economic dependency on European settlers.
c. Cultural Perception: Native Americans had diverse perceptions of Europeans, influenced by their own cultural, spiritual, and historical contexts. Some admired European technologies, while others saw them as a threat to their way of life. As Europeans encroached on Native American lands, conflicts over territorial control and clashes of cultural values intensified, leading to years of warfare and displacement.
It is important to note that these perceptions were not static but evolved over time through changing interactions and experiences. These encounters between Europeans and Native Americans shaped the course of history and had profound and lasting effects on both civilizations.