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how did europeans justify their treatment of non-white native peoples

by Prof. Adrian Corkery Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Violence and the seizure of property, land, and resources were mainly justified by a strongly held belief that Europeans were racially and culturally superior. Indigenous peoples were not treated as equals and were regarded as subhuman. American and European populations believed that indigenous cultures were primitive and uncivilized.

Full Answer

How did the Europeans deal with the Native Americans?

Whenever possible, the Europeans ruthlessly displaced the Natives and took or “bought” (often from Native sellers that did not actually “own” the land they were selling, such as Manhattan Island), with the rationalization that the land was vast and the Natives could simply move farther inland, leaving the area to the Europeans.

How was religion used to justify the treatment of the natives?

Religion was often used to justify the poor treatment of the natives. Both England’s economic system and religion led to Native American oppression. John Rolfe introduced tobacco to the colony of Jamestown, Virginia in 1612.

Why were the natives obliged to allow Europe to extract resources?

At the same time, however, the natives were obliged to allow Europe to extract resources from their territories, since the natives were not using them and Europe needed them to maintain its standard of living.

How did England treat the natives in their colonies?

England’s colonists, however, were equally hostile toward the natives they encountered. The success of England’s colonies depended on the exploitation of Native Americans who were forced off their lands. Religion was often used to justify the poor treatment of the natives.

What was the European effort to make an equitable arrangement with Native people?

European effort, or lack thereof, to make an equitable arrangement with Native people and to live in harmony never really happened until the Native people were so decimated and defeated they had no choice but to submit to whatever charity was left to them by the Europeans, noble thoughts and efforts to the contrary.

How old was the European discovery of the Americas?

The European “discovery” of the Americas was only 20 years old at this time, and by this time it had become apparent some consistent rules were needed to keep with Catholic and Spanish ideas of law and morality.

What were the laws of Burgos?

On December 27, 1512, the King and Queen of Spain issued the Laws of Burgos, a set of rules for how Spaniards were to treat Native Americans in the Caribbean islands colonized by Spain. Prior to this point there was haphazard ways of dealing with Native peoples, and ample incidents of cruelty and oppression. The European “discovery” of the Americas was only 20 years old at this time, and by this time it had become apparent some consistent rules were needed to keep with Catholic and Spanish ideas of law and morality.

Where did the law of Burgos come from?

The name, Laws of Burgos, comes from the city of Burgos in Northern Spain, in the province of Castile. King Ferdinand of Aragon had married the future Queen of Castile, Isabella, to cement the union of these major Spanish regions. It was Ferdinand and Isabella that chartered Christopher Columbus to make his voyages of discovery, though Isabella had died in 1504 and was replaced by Ferdinand’s new wife, Germaine of Foix, the Queen consort of Aragon in 1506. (King Ferdinand died in 1516, leaving Germaine without a throne.)

What was the system of Indians that was devised to deal with the Indians?

If they refused, they could be forced to comply. Many did resist and a system was devised to deal with them. It was known as the encomienda. Under this system Indians were regarded as part of the land: When land grants were made to settlers, the native inhabitants became a part of the grant.

Who was the Puritan who came to Massachusetts Bay in 1631?

Like the Spanish priests who were appalled at the treatment of the Indians, some English observers also spoke out. Roger Williams, a Separatist Puritan who came to Massachusetts Bay in 1631, charged that the English had no right to occupy land that the Indians were already living on.

What was Columbus' first illegal act?

Columbus' first illegal act was to ship five hundred Indians back to Spain as slaves. When Queen Isabella heard of this, she immediately ordered that the Indians be freed and sent back to Hispaniola.

Did the North American Indians die out as rapidly as their native peoples of the Caribbean?

This intermingling, however, did not produce the same results as that of the Spaniards. The North American Indians did not die out as rapidly as their native peoples of the Caribbean and the English, who came in families, did not inter-marry with the Indians as frequently as the Spaniards.

What was the European justification for colonizing Africa?

The principle justification offered by the Europeans for their colonization of Asia & Africa was the moral and technological superiority of the western world. As the Europeans saw it, the spread of the European way of life would substantially increase living standards for ...

Why did Europeans use the second justification?

According to the majority of the documents given, assimilation into the world economy boosted the economy of the colonized nation, thus increasing the general well-being in said nation.

Why were raw materials important to industrialization?

Raw materials were crucial for industrialization to grow. As industrialization grew, resource competition rose resulting in some european industrialists to push colonization of africa in order to secure resource availability b. markets- with the surplus of goods from european manufacturers, the european people could not keep up with consumption.

Why did Europeans leave the farms?

In Europe, they too experienced the rise of industrialization; Europeans were also leaving the farms to migrate to cities in search of jobs, technology and trade. However, this new liberal capitalism upset the balance of power in the European society causing unrest.

Why was Cesaire's work important?

Reason was used to guide the actions of people and nations; no longer was religion the main force. Science became extremely important because it provided answers to questions.

Is Africa a land of inferior civilizations?

Though the white-washed, western world often believes Africa to be a land of inferior civilizations, inferior people, or inferior culture, all of these small civilizations that have spanned the continent for thousands of years cannot be blamed for any economic disadvantages. Read More.

Who was the explorer who lacked financial support?

Christopher Columbus, the renowned Genoese explorer, lacked financial sponsors when it came for his proposed expedition to find a short route to Asia. However, despite opposition and disapproval from the Talavera Commision, he eventually gained support in the court of King Ferdinand. Read More.

Why was religion used in Native American colonial life?

Religion was often used to justify the poor treatment of the natives. Both England’s economic system and religion led to Native American oppression. John Rolfe introduced tobacco to the colony of Jamestown, Virginia in 1612. Jamestown’s tobacco growers made a lot of money by trading tobacco with the Europeans.

Why did the colonists give up their land?

The Native Americans were forced to give up their lands so the colonists could grow even more tobacco. In addition to their desire for land, the English also used religion to justify bloodshed.

What were the Spanish conquistadors cruel to?

The Spanish conquistadors were unquestionably cruel to Native Americans. England’s colonists, however, were equally hostile toward the natives they encountered. The success of England’s colonies depended on the exploitation of Native Americans who were forced off their lands. Religion was often used to justify the poor treatment of the natives.

Did the Puritans believe God supported the extermination of the Pequot?

The Pequot had previously killed several English captains so the Puritans claimed God supported their extermination of the Pequot for the killing of Englishmen. Since they were Christians and the Pequot were seen as heathens, the Puritans felt justified in their actions. Like this: Like.

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