Native Reactions to the Invasion of America Research

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Native Reactions to the Invasion of America
The native America responded to American invasion by European differently depending on how the native group's perception, some groups perceived Europeans as dangerous people. In the article by James Axtell, he argues that not all Native Americans were hostile; some groups were accommodative but were extremely wary, this explains why frequent wars broke out between the native and different colonies. Some native groups were accommodative because they perceived Europeans to be superiors and more equal compared to them (McGaughy 60). The European cloth, metal clocks, books, and guns gave them the impression that Europeans were respectable people worth worshipping. The native incorporated the Europeans as honorary Indians, they adopted their lifestyle and bestowed upon them Indian names (McGaughy 61).
James argues that some native groups welcomed them but did not give them full acceptance. The Indians were generous as they helped European ships guiding them to safe anchorage, giving them food and many favors in return for their superior goods and technology .those groups who accepted the Europeans learned new language skills (McGaughy 63). Some groups used these skills later by reverting to their native ways of being hostile. Some colonies explored the native land under the pretense of trade but kidnapped the native and sold them as slaves in Spain. In addition, the curious explorers destroyed native settlement driving them away from their ancestral homes while they looked for the suitable site for settling. The natives succumbed to diseases like smallpox, influenza brought by the colonies reducing their population (McGaughy 63).
To cope with numerous losses, they adopted various ways to restore their cultural heritage. Some groups resorted to war to capture slaves making them prisoners to replace the lost population. However, other groups in the western parts of America responded to European invasion by moving away to new settlements known as reserves .these groups preferred to maintain their culture and tradition, they even put wide swaths of woodland as a barrier between themselves and the colonists. (McGaughy 63).
In other parts of American, colonial establishments were not very intrusive; the natives took advantage of the situation by adapting to new economic, military and religious practices. The native Indian converts were permitted to buy guns, most of the natives preferred being Christians to purchase guns to defend their territories. The colonies ...