Christopher Columbus was Scottish

[macwilkin]

I get a kick out of the term "Native American." I mean, if you were born between 35* W and 170* W, regardless of when, then you're native to the Americas right?

To me the label "First Nations" makes more sense. Doesn't make it sound so much like there was one vast group of people who all identified with one another before the Europeans arrived. Heck, the fought like the dickens some times. Calling them one people would probably have ticked them off just as much as if you called a Scotsman an Englishman during.....well.....pretty much any time.

Well said, sir. A lack of political unity was the very reason that the "First Nations" were not able to resist European colonization & American expansion. Goodness knows some leaders like Tecumseh tried, but the various clans and tribes of North America were a lot like their counterparts in the Highlands of Scotland (see Calloway's White People, Indians and Highlanders), and as you pointed out, many of them were all too happy to fight rival groups and use Europeans and Americans to their advantage.

Only in Hollywood and on television is the Indian the passive victim; in reality he was just as human as his European/American opponent.

Regards,

Todd

[Bryan]

Only in Hollywood and on television is the Indian the passive victim; in reality he was just as human as his European/American opponent.

I couldn't have said that better myself.

[Bryan]

A lack of political unity was the very reason that the "First Nations" were not able to resist European colonization & American expansion

The introduction of smallpox, influenza, etc. helped.

[The Barry]

The introduction of smallpox, influenza, etc. helped.

As did the whole "superior armaments" thing that the Europeans had going for them.

[macwilkin]

As did the whole "superior armaments" thing that the Europeans had going for them.

Yes and no. Remember that Native Americans quickly realised that Europeans could prove to be very important allies in tribal conflicts, and soon made alliances with them in hopes that the latter would be able to defeat enemies -- witness the willingness of a number of tribes in the central valley of Mexico who were all too happy to see Cortes and his men and help them defeat the Aztecs.

Regards,

Todd

[Bryan]

Yes and no. Remember that Native Americans quickly realised that Europeans could prove to be very important allies in tribal conflicts, and soon made alliances with them in hopes that the latter would be able to defeat enemies -- witness the willingness of a number of tribes in the central valley of Mexico who were all too happy to see Cortes and his men and help them defeat the Aztecs.

Regards,

Todd

Very true!

[macwilkin]

Information:

http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/genera...=9780195340129

Calloway has some very interesting comments about modern-day Highland games in North America, btw, in a similar vein to Celeste Ray's Highland Heritage: Scottish-Americans in the American South.

Regards,

Todd

[TNKiltedWolf]

Very, very, cool book sir!! This will have to go on the must read list. Thanks for the reference!

Information:

http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/genera...=9780195340129

Calloway has some very interesting comments about modern-day Highland games in North America, btw, in a similar vein to Celeste Ray's Highland Heritage: Scottish-Americans in the American South.

Regards,

Todd

[Brother Falldown]

Yes and no. Remember that Native Americans quickly realised that Europeans could prove to be very important allies in tribal conflicts, and soon made alliances with them in hopes that the latter would be able to defeat enemies -- witness the willingness of a number of tribes in the central valley of Mexico who were all too happy to see Cortes and his men and help them defeat the Aztecs.

Regards,

Todd

I recall reading somewhere that the Aztecs with thier slings and clay pellets were far more effective both in rate of fire and accuracy that Cortez's muskets.

[macwilkin]

I recall reading somewhere that the Aztecs with thier slings and clay pellets were far more effective both in rate of fire and accuracy that Cortez's muskets.

Could very well be. The Aztecs certainly got the jump on Cortes on La Noche Triste.

T.