Native American Experience During The US Colonial Period

When learning about the Native American experience during the U.S. colonial period, several elements and details have stood out to me, whether it be land encroachment, disease impact, or religious and cultural conflicts. However, the two topics regarding the Native American experience during this period seem to be reoccurring themes: war and trade. I find that it is more important to learn about Native Americans and war as opposed to Native Americans and trade. While trade did play a crucial role in Native American and colonial relations, I find that the experience of war is what shows the struggles Native Americans faced during this time the most. One reason I think it is more important to learn about Native Americans and war is because of
Wars frequently led to Native peoples being forced from their lands, ultimately forming the future map of North America. Another reason I think it is more important to learn about Native Americans and war is because it shows the power dynamics between Native tribes and European settlers that may not necessarily be obvious. For example, the French and Indian War showed an imbalance in power, mainly due to the difference in population between the French and British colonies. This imbalance required the French to depend on Native American alliances but still led to an ultimate defeat. The destruction of Native American cultures and societies is the final, yet arguably most important, reason I find it more important to learn about Native Americans and war than Native Americans and trade. While, according to the “Pontiac’s War” source, Warriors “often went to war to appease the spirits of the dead and assuage the grief of bereaved relatives” (137), the wars Native Americans were involved in destroyed numerous Native American