The history of North American frontiers from the ninth century to the opening of the nineteenth - Term Paper Example

? North American frontiers The paper deals with historical development of America in different periods ranging from ninth to nineteenth centuries. It is claimed that relations between Indians and Indians, Indians and Europeans and Indians and Americans were rather challenging. In order to deal with complexities, it was necessary for Americans to develop a policy of tolerance, egalitarianism and conditions for further independence development. The main concern of the paper is the way the North Frontier influenced the relationships development in America. Key words: Indians, Spaniard, Europeans, military conflict, nations’ change. North American Frontiers In spite of the blood, cruelties and military conflicts, the North American frontier is a great contribution into the modern American culture. In the earliest years the Appalachian mountain range was considered the American frontier. In such a way it was possible to set the borders between civilization and wilderness. The independence of America enabled moving people across the frontier more freely. Therefore, a modern context of different institutions’ development implies an important role of the nation’s change. The laws of American development underline a cyclical advancement of the country along a constantly changing frontier line. On the example of the development of American nation in different historical periods it is shown the way nation managed to cope with inner and outer conflicts, referring to their dignity, strength, self-dependence and the absence of the governmental regulations. The difference between the frontier line of America and the frontier line of other countries is the following: the other countries knew their boundaries and they knew which countries were beyond these boundaries. The North America frontier underlined the unknown land beyond it. In accordance with Calloway: “…fertile valleys, meeting friendly people bedecked in turquoise, and hearing wondrous accounts of the towns to be found in the north” (p. 133). As far as we can see, the diversity of the North frontier is evident. The nature of the diversity can be found in the first settlers’ necessity to deal with natural challenges and remain self-sufficient. The main challenges happened nearly 10,000 years ago, with the corn’s cultivation (Calloway, 2003). The sedentary agricultural societies were shaped and there is an evident overlap of different nations occurred. In the process of development of large chiefdoms the ritualized religion was advanced. With further advancement of exchange economies, the chiefdoms grow surplus crops. It cannot be claimed that this system was dominant over hunting/gathering. The New Indians were adopting new strategies of economies and political organizations adoption. The earlier Mesoamericans led to vast cultural and religious. Moreover, in accordance with Calloway native groups are involved into challenged relations with animals. The animals’ rearing was the core element of Indians’ lives shaping. Thus, the main emphasis is made on eco organic relationships. Calloway finds surprising parallels in the relations of the earliest settlers Indians and further relations between Indians and Europeans, Indians and Americans. Indian-European relations across North America were developed as a genuinely comparative synthesis. Further on, relations between Indians and Europeans have changed from inner conflicts among different tribes to the conflicts between the representatives of completely different nations. It was possible for people living in the frontier to overcome different barriers, because they supported their strong individuality. Thus, this tendency is contributing much to the development of the American mentality. The advancement of the northern frontier was mediated in the sixteenth century by the criollos (Spaniards born in America), mestizos and allied Indians (Calloway, 2003). This fact may be considered as a serious contribution into the modern economy of America. The process of settlement was not involving the government interference into the country’s economy. Moreover, the contemporaries have benefited from psychological influence exerted upon them after the north frontier. A problem-solving nature of Americans is deeply rooted in the settlers’ abilities to solve daily challenges. There was no government and the settlers would solve the challenges with the help of the arms. At the same time, from the time of frontier conflicts, too many different people with diverse interests, statuses etc were involved. Nowadays a tendency of egalitarianism is deeply rooted in the Native Americans’ abilities to cope with other people. The frontier experience was an important historical landmark for the Americans. Moreover, the influence on the modern culture development is also evident. A constant moving and scattering from the unknown into the unknown affected the lives and functions of the contemporaries greatly. Therefore, the relationships of the Americans in the nineteenth century were marked by the search for the ways to solve the conflicts. The core essence of the modern relationships between Native Americans can be found in historical relationships within the nation. Therefore, we can see that Calloway represents an interesting perspective on the development of relations in the earlier America. The central role of the center of North America is positioned by the author as a trans-Atlantic interpretation of the history of American West. There is a representation of the artificial division between the trans-Appalachian and Trans-Mississippi West, making an emphasis on the Mississippi valley as a dividing line. The relations of Americans in different historical periods were marked by complex interrelations between different ethnic groups. In accordance with the peculiarities of the American nation’s development it is suggested that the modernity has gained much from solving challenging problems on the frontier, internal and external conflicts of the Native Americans. As a result, the modern American nation has advanced such positions as independence, egalitarianism and self-sufficiency. References 1. Calloway, Collin. (2003). One Vast Winter Count. University of Nebraska Press; First Edition. Read More