Compare and Contrast the Views of Native Americans and Europeans

926 Words Feb 6th, 2002 4 Pages
During the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Europeans started to come over to the new world, they discovered a society of Indians that was strikingly different to their own. To understand how different, one must first compare and contrast some of the very important differences between them, such as how the Europeans considered the Indians to be extremely primitive and basic, while, considering themselves civilized. The Europeans considered that they were model societies, and they thought that the Indians society and culture should be changed to be very similar to their own. The Europeans and the Indians had very contrasting ideas of personal wealth and ownership. The Europeans believed that only the rich should own land, and …show more content…
Religion was another wall of separation between the Indians and Europeans, especially considering the polytheism of the Indians, and the usual monotheism practiced by the Europeans. The Europeans followed a strict system of worship, with trained clergy, and pattern of church services. For the Indians, spiritual belief was centered around the belief of spiritual power that exists everywhere in nature. The Indians wanted to be in touch and one with nature, and all aspects of it, from the wild animals they hunted to the smallest stream. The Europeans thought of the Indian religious practices as evil and wrong, and as a result, they thought the Indians were not intelligent enough, inferior to, the Europeans, and constantly attempted to convert the Indians to Christianity. They knew about the Indians religious leaders, the shamans, and considered them to be dangerous, because of their role as holders of the power of healing and ability to communicate with the spiritual world. The Europeans thought that God wanted them to convert the Indians, and took this mission seriously. The Europeans desire to change the Indian society was a failure. Even to this day, the Indians still follow many of the same beliefs. For example, they still practice many of the same religious ceremonies, and did not convert. In their society, women are still regarded with very important roles. Ever since

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