Discussion Board 02columbus The Indians And Human Progressso How ✓ Solved

Discussion Board #02: Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress So, how many of you, one of the first words that came to mind when thinking about how Native Americans have been portrayed to you in other classes (thinking all the way back to elementary school) was SAVAGES? How many of you thought about small groups of half-naked people whooping and hollering while dancing around a fire outside of a teepee? Most people in my classes, this is their recollection of previous teachings on Native America. Surprising? So what if I were to tell you that instead of the handful of Natives here in the Americas, there were actually as many as 120 million of them in 1492?

That this population size was equal to that found in Europe at that time? What if I told you that these “savages†lived in cities—sophisticated cities, many more sophisticated than Paris, France at that time? Not just the Incas or the Mayans either…there were cities all over the Americas. That the Americans are home to the greatest number of pyramids in the world…that the largest pyramid in the world is actually in the Americas not in Egypt, and that one side of the base of this pyramid measure a half mile in length? And that it has just been discovered within the last 10 years because it had been literally swallowed up by the Amazon jungle?

Did any of you know all of this? Most of my students are dumbfounded by these revelations. And if I were to ask you to name something foundational to this country that we have adopted from Native America, how many of you could give me an answer? I ask you all of these things as we continue our discussions of the “ discoverer†of America, Christopher Columbus, for a reason. Was he truly the discoverer of this land?

Were there other foreigners who came here long before Columbus? Why don’t we celebrate that Afro-Phoenicians (Africans) as “discoverers†of America? Or the Chinese? For that matter, why do we celebrate a “discoverer†at all when there were already 120 million living here? Why do we not celebrate Native Americans as one of the great “founders†of this country as we do Columbus, or the Pilgrims, or Washington, Jefferson, etc?

Are they not part of our foundations? How would Howard Zinn explain this? Especially since much of our ideas about democracy actually came from Native Americans? YES, DEMOCRACY…one of the ideas that make up the very foundations of this country comes from the Iroquois Confederacy. I would bet very few of you knew this….

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The portrayal of Native Americans throughout history has often been woefully inaccurate, serving as a reflection of prejudices and misunderstandings that underpin colonization and historical narratives. This discourse reveals not just the misrepresentation of indigenous cultures, but also questions the framing of history itself—primarily in the context of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in 1492 and its aftermath. This response will delve into the narrative that emerged from Columbus' voyages, the existence and sophistication of Native civilizations pre-1492, and the broader implications it has on the understanding of ‘human progress.’

The Myth of the "Savage" Native American

From early education, many Americans might remember images of Native Americans that evoke stereotypes, often depicting them as primitive or barbaric. This perception cannot be overstated, as it reflects a narrative that served colonial interests; by positioning Native Americans as 'savages,' Europeans justified their colonization efforts. Historical scholarship reveals a stark contrast to such simplifications. Scholars like Charles C. Mann (2005) argue that there were approximately 120 million indigenous peoples in the Americas at the time of European contact. This population size was equivalent to that of Europe, countering the myth of sparse, simplistic societies.

Complexity and Sophistication of Native Civilizations

The civilizations that existed in the Americas were not only populous but also complex and sophisticated. Contrasting depictions of Native Americans as uncivilized fails to consider the well-structured communities and advanced knowledge systems they had developed over centuries. For instance, the Aztec and Inca civilizations, which are often recognized for their impressive cities, road systems, and agricultural innovations, are just two examples of thriving societies that predated European colonization (Dowd, 2015). Moreover, archaeological discoveries, such as the mega-structures hidden within the Amazon, indicate that civilizations existed in intricate relationships with their environments, defying narratives that portray them as merely 'primitive hunters' (Erickson, 2006).
Furthermore, it has emerged in recent studies that the largest pyramid in the world resides in Cholula, Mexico, with its giant base measuring over half a mile long. The existence and sophistication of diverse indigenous cultures across North America—such as the Mississippian culture, which built mounds like Cahokia—challenge historical inaccuracies about Native American capabilities and achievements (Pauketat, 2004).

Democracy and Indigenous Influence

Intriguingly, some fundamental aspects of American democracy were influenced by Native American political systems. The Iroquois Confederacy, for example, imbued ideas of federalism and a representative government that inspired the framers of the U.S. Constitution (Hoffman, 2010). The emphasis on consensus-building and collective decision-making seen in the Iroquois system showcases indigenous contributions to governance that remain largely unacknowledged in contemporary narratives.
This oversight evokes a larger question: How do we define ‘progress’? When Columbus arrived in 1492, he heralded what some regard as a new age of exploration and innovation. However, the consequences of this ‘progress’ can be scrutinized through the lens of cultural genocide, colonial violence, and the systemic erasure of indigenous cultures that followed (Zinn, 2005). Therefore, Columbus’ legacy invites critical examination, particularly regarding whose narratives receive validation and celebration in academic settings and broader societal discourse.

Who 'Discovers,' and Why Does It Matter?

The term ‘discovery’ implies a lack of existence prior to the arrival of Europeans, which is fundamentally false. Scholars suggest that we reevaluate the language we use when discussing pre-Columbus America. What does it mean to ‘discover’ a land where millions of people already reside? The question raises significant moral inquiries about the roots of contemporary American identity. Celebrating Columbus as a grand discoverer distracts from appreciating the rich traditions and history of Native Americans, who themselves are foundational to the country’s narrative (Silko, 1996).
Instead of honoring a single figure or moment, it is crucial to recognize the intertwined histories of diverse cultures. For example, some Chinese expeditions, such as those led by Admiral Zheng He, came before Columbus and laid the groundwork for potentially earlier contacts. Afro-Phoenician explorations might suggest a broader set of interactions and exchanges that need acknowledgment (Mignolo, 2007).

Conclusion

The portrayal of Native Americans in historical narratives requires a profound rethinking to address distortions shaped by colonial mindsets. Columbus did not ‘discover’ America; rather, he initiated an era of colonization that drastically altered indigenous lives. The rich complexity and contributions of Native American societies to concepts of governance, culture, and human progress deserve recognition and appreciation. By acknowledging the myriad factors that compose the narrative of America’s founding, we confront oppressive myths and honor the true diversity and resilience of indigenous populations.

References

1. Dowd, G. (2015). War on the Middle Ground. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
2. Erickson, C. L. (2006). Amazonia: Forests, People, & Cultural Resilience. Cultural Survival.
3. Hoffman, P. (2010). The Iroquois Confederacy and the Birth of the United States. The Great Plains Quarterly.
4. Mann, C. C. (2005). 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. Knopf.
5. Mignolo, W. (2007). Delinking: The rhetoric of modernity, the logic of coloniality and the grammar of de-coloniality. Cultural Studies.
6. Pauketat, T. R. (2004). Ancient Cahokia and the Mississippians. Cambridge University Press.
7. Silko, L. M. (1996). Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit: Essays on Native American Life Today. Touchstone.
8. Zinn, H. (2005). A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present. HarperCollins.
9. R. H. (2014). Indigenous Peoples of North America: A History in their Own Words. Cengage Learning.
10. Taylor, A. (2001). American Colonies: The Settling of North America. Penguin Books.
By reconsidering the narratives surrounding Columbus and Native Americans, we arrive at a more nuanced understanding of history that honors all contributors to the story of America.