colonialism

colonialsim

the practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers and exploiting it economically.

mary rowlandson

A colonial American woman who was captured by Native Americans and wrote an autobiographical account of her captivity, highlighting the experiences and challenges faced during this period.

tierra nullius

a Latin term meaning "nobody's land" used to justify the colonization of territory not inhabited by recognized states or legal owners.

great chain of being

a hierarchical structure of all matter and life, believed to be ordained by God, where every entity has its place from the lowest forms of life to the highest beings, including humans and divine entities.

song of roland

An epic poem that recounts the heroic deeds of the knight Roland during the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, emphasizing themes of loyalty, bravery, and chivalry in the context of the Carolingian Empire.

doctorine of discovery

A principle in international law used to justify European claims to sovereignty over lands inhabited by Indigenous peoples, asserting that discovery gave sovereign nations authority over those territories.

praying towns

settlements established by Puritans in New England to convert Native Americans to Christianity, often leading to cultural assimilation.

catherine tekawitha

A 17th-century Mohawk woman who converted to Christianity and became the first Native American saint canonized by the Catholic Church, known for her piety and dedication to her faith.

jean de brebeuf

A French Jesuit missionary who evangelized among the Huron people in North America during the 17th century, known for his writings about Native American culture and his martyrdom.

the invasion within

refers to the psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism on indigenous populations, often causing internalized oppression and loss of identity.

pueblo war of 1860

An uprising by the Pueblo people in New Mexico against Spanish colonial rule, resulting in the temporary expulsion of Spanish settlers and a resurgence of indigenous culture.

metis

A group of people in Canada with mixed Indigenous and European ancestry, primarily descended from French settlers and First Nations people. They played a significant role in the fur trade and have a distinct culture and identity.

mitasse

A type of traditional Métis clothing, often made from fur or leather, that reflects the unique cultural heritage of the Métis people.

syncretism

The blending of different religious and cultural traditions, often seen in colonial contexts where indigenous beliefs merge with those of colonizers.

creek nation

A Native American tribe originally from the southeastern United States, known for their rich culture and history, and played a significant role in the early interactions with European settlers.

virgin soil epidemic

A disease outbreak that occurs in a population that has no previous exposure to the disease, leading to high mortality rates among the affected group, especially notable in the context of colonization.

play off system

A method used in colonial contexts where one group strategically leverages conflicts between different groups to maintain control or gain advantages.

kaswentha belt

A belt worn by some Native American tribes, symbolizing peace and unity, often associated with the Two Row Wampum Treaty.

catawba nation

A Native American tribe originally from the Carolinas, the Catawba Nation played a significant role in early American colonial history and formed alliances during conflicts with European settlers.

king philip

II's War was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of New England and English colonists that took place during the 1670s.

increase mather

A prominent New England congregational minister, and influential figure in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for his role in the Salem witch trials and as a leader in the Puritan community.

sine qua non

An essential condition or element; without which something cannot occur.

edward randolph

An Englishman who served as the first royal surveyor of customs in New England, seeking to enforce trade laws and taxes, which led to tensions between the colonies and the Crown.

creek confederacy

A coalition of several Native American tribes in the southeastern United States, notably the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, which played a significant role in resisting colonial expansion and later in the American Civil War.

john sausamon

A Native American preacher and teacher who worked to promote Christianity among his people, he is known for his role in early colonial education and missionary efforts.

wampanoag language reclamation project

An initiative aimed at reviving and teaching the Wampanoag language, which was nearly extinct, as part of efforts to preserve Wampanoag culture and heritage.

pontiacs war

A conflict in the 1760s between Native American tribes, led by Chief Pontiac, and British colonial authorities over territorial disputes and the treatment of Native peoples.

shawnees

A Native American tribe originally inhabiting the Ohio Valley, known for their resistance against colonial expansion and participation in various conflicts, including the American Revolution.

dragging canoe

A prominent leader of the Chickamauga Cherokee who opposed American expansion into Native lands during the late 18th century, known for his resistance against settlers and involvement in conflicts like the Chickamauga Wars.

Indian Hating

A term used to describe violent attitudes and actions aimed at Native American populations, often exemplifying colonial hostility and racism throughout American history.

master narrative

The overarching historical story told from a dominant cultural perspective, often marginalizing or excluding alternative viewpoints, particularly concerning colonialism and indigenous peoples.

chickamougas

A group of Cherokee who, under leaders like Dragging Canoe, resisted American encroachment on their territory during the late 18th century.

sullivans raid

A military campaign in 1779 led by General John Sullivan during the American Revolutionary War, aimed at punishing the Iroquois Confederacy and destroying their villages in response to their support for the British.

corn wars

Conflicts in the early 19th century over land and resources, primarily involving indigenous peoples and American settlers in the Ohio River Valley.

stockbridge mohican

A Native American tribe originally from the Hudson River Valley that relocated to Massachusetts, known for their adaptation and involvement in colonial conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War.

Henry Hamilton

British lieutenant governor of Detroit during the American Revolutionary War, known for his efforts to recruit Native American allies against American forces. He was captured by American forces and earned the nickname "hair buyer" due to his alleged role in paying for American scalps. Hamilton's role significantly shaped British-Native American relations during the war.

The place where they cried

The location where the Stockbridge-Mohican people experienced significant hardship and loss, particularly during their relocation and the impacts of colonial expansion.

Treaty of holston

The 1791 agreement between the United States and the Cherokee Nation, establishing boundaries for their lands and outlining relations between the two parties.

Assimilation vs. hybridity

A debate in colonial studies reflecting the conflicting processes of assimilating into a dominant culture versus creating a hybrid culture that blends elements from both indigenous and colonial societies.

Benjamin hawkins

A prominent American Indian agent and advocate for the Creek Nation in the late 18th century, known for his role in negotiating treaties and promoting education among Native Americans.

The Indian problem

The challenges and policies faced by the United States regarding the rights, land, and culture of Native American tribes during westward expansion and colonization.

The plan of civilization

A policy initiated in the early 19th century aimed at assimilating Native Americans into Euro-American culture through education, agriculture, and the abandonment of traditional practices.

Five civilized tribes

The five Native American nations—Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole—that adopted certain cultural practices of European Americans during the 19th century.

nu-no-du-na-ho-hi-lu

A Cherokee word meaning "the place where they buried the dead," referring to the historical significance of burial grounds for the Cherokee people.

John ross

A prominent Cherokee leader and chief who played a crucial role in the resistance against the forced removal of the Cherokee people during the Trail of Tears.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state, often referring to the autonomy of Native American tribes in the United States to manage their own affairs.

Syllabary

A written system of symbols representing syllables, used in the Cherokee language to promote literacy and preserve the culture.

sequoyah

A Cherokee silversmith and inventor who created the Cherokee syllabary, a written form of the Cherokee language, significantly enhancing literacy and cultural preservation among the Cherokee people.

Creek removal

Refers to the forced relocation of the Creek Nation from their ancestral lands in the early 19th century, primarily due to pressures from colonists and the U.S. government.

Imperium in imperio

A concept referring to a governing power within a larger governing system, often used in the context of Native American tribes maintaining autonomy under colonial rule.

compact of 1802

An agreement between the United States and Georgia in which the state ceded its western lands to the federal government in exchange for the promise of federal support against Native American tribes.

chreokee constitution

The first written constitution of the Cherokee Nation, adopted in 1827, which established a republican form of government and outlined the rights of its citizens.

Natural law philosophy

A philosophical belief that certain rights and morals are inherent through human nature, often used to justify the legitimacy of government authority and individual rights.

Dahlongea gold rush

A significant gold rush in North Georgia during the 1820s that led to increased tensions between European settlers and the Cherokee Nation, contributing to the latter's forced removal.

removal policy

The government strategy to forcibly relocate Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to designated territories, often resulting in significant suffering and loss of life.

lewis cass

A U.S. politician and military leader known for advocating the removal of Native Americans from their lands, particularly during the implementation of the Indian Removal Act.

john ridge

A prominent Cherokee leader and advocate for the assimilation of Native Americans into European-American society, he was a signatory of the Treaty of New Echota, which led to the forced removal of the Cherokee.

domestic dependant nation

A term referring to the legal status of Native American tribes in the United States, recognizing them as distinct political communities under the authority of the federal government while retaining a degree of self-governance.

Samuel worcester

A minister and activist known for his role in the legal battles against Georgia's laws that restricted Cherokee rights, ultimately leading to the landmark Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia.

Jeremiah Evans

A lesser-known figure in the Cherokee Nation, Jeremiah Evans was involved in the political and social issues facing Native Americans during the 19th century, particularly around the time of removal and assimilation.

Marshall trilogy

Three Supreme Court cases that established the legal foundation for federal Indian law, including Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worcester v. Georgia, affirming tribal sovereignty.