Not a New World

NOT A NEW WORLD

• Title of the course: American History to 1877

SOME ISSUES WITH AMERICAN/US HISTORY SURVEYS

• Definition of a survey:

  • Can include classes, books, documentaries, and public history (museums, etc.)

• Foner’s perspective on Indigenous history:

  • Claims to offer a rich indigenous perspective.

  • However, the focus shifts to Europeans within the first 10 pages.

  • Example of this can serve as an illustration of historical argumentation.

Critique of Foner's Works

• My counterclaim:

  • Despite the introduction's claims on indigenous society, evidence in Foner’s work does not support this viewpoint fully, indicating a Eurocentric bias.

• Importance of providing evidence to support critiques against Foner or any historian.

Historical Perspective and Contact

• Typical approach of survey classes mirrors Foner’s narrative.

  • While contact with Europeans is critical, understanding indigenous narratives requires more intricacy.

• Lack of elaboration on pre-contact societies perpetuates their invisibility, supporting the subclaim.

THE PRE-CONTACT AMERICAS

• Key insights regarding pre-contact indigenous societies:

  1. Indigenous life persisted for most nations uncontacted by Europeans.

     • Notable: Many nations that interacted with Europeans retained substantial power, even into the 1880s.

  2. Native societies faced their own complex social, economic, and political challenges—these were comparable and nuanced as those experienced by Europeans.

  • The need to move beyond stereotypes like the 'noble savage.'

MAPS AND INDIGENOUS NATIONS

• A listing of various Indigenous groups across different territories:

  • Eskimo, Koyukon, Tanana, various tribes from North America including Dakota, Wampanoag, and others.

  • Mapping Indigenous presence and affiliations across regions illustrates diversity and complexity.

A BROAD PICTURE OF AMERICA BEFORE CONTACT

• Challenges faced regarding sources, genocide, and record keeping.

• Diversity of Indigenous lifestyles:

  • Range from nomadic groups to complex, planned villages and larger confederations.

  • Concept of land ownership varies; for many, it’s viewed as sacred rather than a commodity.

• Agriculture practices described as highly developed, emphasizing regenerative, low-impact methods.

• Discussion on 'development' with Foner suggesting South/Central American societies more advanced than those in North America, which complicates the notion of progress.

  • Foner’s stance aligns with civilizational discourse valuing urban centers and technological advancements as benchmarks of progress.

COMPLICATING FONER

• Re-examination of claims regarding scientific knowledge in indigenous societies:

  • Foner posits North American societies lacked knowledge for long-distance navigation—this has been recently disproven.

    • Historical evidence of voyages across Pacific Islands and the West Coast.

• Gender relations perspective adds complexity, deepening understanding of North American societies such as the Illiniwek.

INTRODUCING LAND AND SPACE IN PRE-CONTACT AMERICAS

• Indigenous beliefs about land tied to religious and cultural frameworks.

  • Communities focused on cooperative living and shared health over material wealth accumulation.

• Exploration of human nature in relation to greed and authority structures:

  • Questions about whether economic privilege and centralized authority are innate or socially constructed.

  • Contemporary society’s notion that hierarchies symbolize progress.