Envisioning America and What Caused the Pueblo Revolt - Assignment Example

Mohamed Al Muharrami History Oct-13 Envisioning America and What Caused the Pueblo Revolt? Introduction “Envisioning America” is a historical book that informs the readers about different ways in which a colonist could invade another country. Upon reading this book, this study aims to examine the importance of perspective in creating accounts of the past. After imagining myself as an eyewitness to the English settlement of North America, my personal opinion with regards to the way the colonists has invaded another country will be provided in details. How Each Group Viewed Each Other and Vice Versa Colonists in the case of the English people viewed themselves as powerful individuals who could strongly influence their captive people. In line with this, I find the English colonists as someone who is more superior as compared to the American Indians. Even though the English colonists acknowledged the fact that the American Indians were highly competitive in terms of their progress in economic activities particularly when it comes to hunting and agriculture, there were quite a lot of situational events wherein the English colonists were treating the American Indians badly. In most cases, the English colonists viewed the American Indians as a group of weak individuals who can be easily manipulated through the use of religious activities. Familiarity or Unfamiliarity Each Group had with the Other I believe that the familiarity between the captive people and the colonists can be explained with the use of frontiers of inclusion or exclusion. Specifically the English colonists adopted the frontiers of exclusion when they settled in North America. Since frontier of exclusion means that they distance themselves from other culture and race, the English colonists never had the opportunity to become more acquainted with the American Indians (Mancall, 1995, p. 2). For this reasons, the English colonists failed to have a better understanding with regards to the strength and weaknesses of the American Indians. This gives the American Indians the benefit of not being able to become strongly manipulated by the English colonists. The same applied on the part of the American Indians. Because of the use of frontier of exclusion, the American Indians do not clearly know the real reasons why the English colonists chose to colonize their country. In fact, the American Indians were not able to have the opportunity to know more about the English culture. The only thing that the American Indians know is that the English colonists were abusive to their tribe. With regards to this perception, the American Indians became more familiar with the English colonists. Reasons for Invading Another Land The benefits and liabilities behind invading another country is not always clear prior to the act of invasion. Upon reading “Envisioning America”, I believe that the main purpose why the English colonists invaded North America was because of their desire not only to establish Christianity among the American Indians but also for economic and employment reasons on top of taking advantage of the use of North America’s natural resources (Mancall, 1995, p. 1, 4, 33, pp. 10 – 12). By colonizing the territory of North America, the English colonists will be able to have direct access to North America’s natural resources. Reasons why the Colonists’ Expectations Clashed I believe that there are several reasons why the English colonists’ expectations clashed against the American Indians. Since the English colonists were not much familiar with the capabilities of the American Indians, this group of colonists failed to foresee that the native tribe they have captivated for some time were successful in terms of strengthening their own religious beliefs and political system. For this reasons, the American Indians eventually managed to have good tribal unity strong enough to overpower the English colonists (Mancall, 1995, p. 2). An Eye Witness Account in the Point-of-View of an English Colonist Describing Life in North America As an eye witness in the point-of-view of an English colonist describing life in North America, I conclude that it is relatively easier to invade another country with the use of religious strategies as compared to living a colonial life or maintaining the trust and loyalty of the people being invaded. Life in North America can be fruitful because of the advancement in political power and advantages when it comes to economic activities. By doing so, the English colonists will be able to find new foods such as potatoes, tomatoes, and squash. I believe that colonial life is never easy. Because of the cultural differences between the English colonists and the American Indians, it was necessary for the English colonists not only to exert extra effort in observing the cultural differences between the two different cultures, political and religious background. In case the English colonists failed to fully understand the culture and traditions of the American Indians, I do not think that the English colonists will be successful in fulfilling their main purpose even if they try to invade the American Indians for million times. In other words, I agree that it is necessary on the part of the English colonists to become familiar with the differences in cultural, political, and religious practices of people who are living in North America. This strategy will make it easier on the part of the English colonist to win the trust of the American Indians. It means that the ability of the English colonist to adjust with the new environment is the key behind effectively minimizing the incidence of cultural conflicts between the two groups. Conclusion Aside from informing us the reasons why colonists are keen of invading another land, historical events that happened in the story of “Envisioning America” provided the readers with a clear insight about the common strategies used in colonization. To protect our land from being invaded by foreign colonists, the local people should be united at all times. Through unity, it would be more difficult on the part of the colonists to mandate our countrymen. *** END *** References Mancall, P. (1995). Envisioning America: English Plans for the Colonization of North America, 1580-1640. Edited w/ an INtroduction by Peter C. Mancall. Bedford Books of St. Martins Press. Weber, David J. What Caused the Pueblo Revolt of 1680? Boston and New York: St. Martins Press, 1999. Read More