North_American_Civilization

* * * * * * * * Assignment: North American Civilization HIS/115 US HISTORY TO 1865 Paper * Lewis Campfield * According to the text, there was about 5 to 10 million people living north of Mexico before Columbus came, but where did they all come from' It turns out that America was only new to Europe. Asians and the country’s natives had inhabited the area for many thousands of years. These people were in the Americas for so long they were able to travel from Siberia by the Bering Strait (ice) to Alaska. These Native Americans were nomadic, hunters and gatherers, and soon became farmers as well. As the groups of these travelers spread their diversity grew, each area or group speaking a different language. The women of these groups would forage, and farm, cook and weave, while the men would hunt and gather. The band of people would most probably not exceed 50, and they all have a Shaman. They believed in many Gods, and used the “Shamans” as their guides to speak to these higher beings. Shamans were considered to be enlightened ones, and were highly regarded. Other than farming and maintaining ones band some of these Native Americans were known to trade goods. It is known that like Europeans the Native Americans conquered each others land, but it does not seem to be so bad because their conquers were not done over seas. Also they all were polytheistic so it was not a large difference in their Gutierrez Map illustrated where one could find Native Americans (Indians), and two illustrations can be found in South America around where Brazil and Patagonia are today. There were few Native Americans featured in the map, and they were all depicted so small. It seems that Gutierrez was saying that they were practically insignificant. They were so much smaller and so little there was no reason why Europeans would give them a second glance, or consider them as equals. Looking at the map, South America also seems close to Africa, which we know was covered with Europeans on the west coast. This may mean that South America also is a part of Europe, or should be because of the distance. The arms of the map seem to indicate the unity of Spain and France, since their new treaty signing, the angels in the picture seems to signify the unity of the countries. This map is full of many creatures, especially in the sea, which may be a warning of how traitorous the journey on the seas may be. The Natives to this land were very resourceful and respectful to the land. They worked together to build their land, and band full of people. As it is human nature, there had to be feuds among the different bands. There trading was amazing for that time, so much so that they even had private bathroom facilities to do their deeds with no onlookers. Gutierrez map was an interesting map to see. For his time it was suppose to be very accurate in many aspects, and was very detailed, but it seemed more like propaganda, than informative. This map seems to be a very confident idea of what nation belongs where, and it appears to be full of drama. It portrays a need of protection and power, and it also misinforms the topography of North America (maybe to one’s advantage). It is amazing that the Natives were not drawn more savagely, as they often have been portrayed. If the words were bigger one may get a fuller understanding of the meaning behind other symbols and areas. Africa was marked wild, by the animals drawn and North America was sealed with the unity of Spain and France.