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Discovering A New World

“Discovering” a New World
Imagine hundreds or possibly even thousands of years of ancestry, generations upon generations, and culture all disrupted by the greed and curiosity of another nation. I, for one, wouldn’t take too kindly to technologically superior people planning on taking land that is rightfully mine. Everything Native Americans know is suddenly brought into question. Who are these people that came from the ocean? What do they want from us? They knew one thing for sure, that this would be a major turning point in their civilization. One question, however, they didn’t know the answer to was whether or not this turning point would be positive. Would this event mark the diversification and strengthening of Native Americans, or would these strange people be their downfall?
The reaction of Native Americans to the European settlement of America has always been accompanied by mixed feelings among not only the Natives, but also Europeans. Of course, almost everyone has heard the story of John Smith and Pocahantas. Smith told a story of being captured by warriors of the chief Powhatan. Upon capture, he was dragged to two large stones, where he would be executed. Moments before his certain death, the daughter of chief Powhatan, Pocahantas, threw herself before Smith, saving his life. The validity of this story is questioned by many, but instills a belief that Native Americans were not just blood-thirsty barbarians. However, it also shows that not all Native Americans were thrilled about the idea of Europeans settling their land.   These different views of each other are explained in the document from Michael P. Johnson’s “Reading the American Past.” In the document by Roger Williams’ A Key into the Language of America, 1643, it states “The Natives are of two sorts…Some more Rude and Clownish…Others, and the generall, are sober and grave…There is a savour of civility and courtsie even amongst these wild Americans, both amongst themselves and amongst...