Friday, October 12, 2012

Forgotten Founders

Johansen, Bruce E. Forgotten Founders: Benjamin Franklin, the Iroquois, and the Rationale for the American Revolution. Ipswich, MA: Gambit, 1982. Print

In the source Forgotten Founders by Johansen, the views of Native Americans as well as the first pilgrims is talked about thoroughly. As we read about the multiple facts about the Native Americans and how they affected the live of the first pilgrims and helped them survive their first harsh winter in the New World. The source also discusses the idea that much of American government had been compared to the Iroquois federation, and this began as Lewis Henry Morgans idea. The Iroquois believed that much of what the colonies were bringing to the new world were common interest for their federation. The Iroquois also influence certain aspects of the american Government. The source states thats much of American tradition was influenced by the rich Native American democratic tradition in which allowed for many of the American ideas to emerge.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Annotated Bibliography: Columbus' Diary

Summary: Through this journal they explain how they traveled for about two days and saw few sights that could prove contact with land very soon. At 2 in the morning one night they came upon a small island known as Guanahani, filled with green trees, fruits, streams, and naked humans that were very friendly and open to to the Admiral and Captain of the Nina.
Critique:
Perspective of this diary is from the POV of Columbus. But it lacked the perspective of his crew members as well as the indians they came into contact with. The author is biased in this diary because he excludes the ideas or thoughts of the indians. This journal shows us the first interaction that Columbus' crew had with the Indies. But it doesnt elaborate much on the perspective on the Indians or the crew members. This diary does show us how they did come into contact with the Indies and what first contact was like.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Pre-Columbian Societies "Demographics & Diversity"

Before 1491, societies throughout America were not as sophisticated as today as a more obvious statement to say the least. But, many societies were very sophisticated for there time period, such as the Aztec or Myan society, which even had their own government as well as multiple cities throughout their civilizations, that had been governed by this central government. Societies such as the Iroqouis, which had a confederation as their government, but was eventually made into a democracy. Like many societies they even went to war with each other, due to the fact that they had many many tribes throughout the New York area. The Anasazi tribe, was a tribe mainly dedicated to farming, but the females were the farmers. While the males were not farmers more often gatherers or hunters. The diversity in these civilizations kept most of them in there own areas, limiting the confrontation between civilizations. In many of these civilizations the females were mostly stay at home moms, and the men were on top, hunting, gather, and provide protection for their society.