Short Answer Essay Assignment
The European writers indicated the existence of slavery because the natives often seized members of other tribes as captives. They argued that the Natives forced the captives to partake human sacrifice. The Spanish people also pursued the enslavement in the Caribbean. While the populations of the natives reduced the Africans, who were imported during the slave trade replaced them (Morison 134). In the 18th century, there were too many African slaves such that the use of Native Americans as slaves diminished. The African slaves were taken from their homelands in the coast of Africa. This encouraged slave trade in the islands of Mexico, the United States, Brazil and Caribbean. Five percent of the African slaves (who were approximately 400,000) were transported to the United States. Some poor Europeans were brought in considerable numbers. The writers also proved that European colonization brought consequences on the lives of Native Americans. The Americans had cultural arrogance that made the European settlers to exploit the Native Americans. The writers claimed that the Americans lacked an authentic history. The writers argued that the Americans lacked mankind (Morison 156). The Native Americans also valued their environment such that they would kill anyone who would mess with their environment.
Europeans were attracted to America because of economic reasons. They were inspired because the first Spanish colonists got wealthy when they conquered Incas, Aztecs and some main populations of Native Americans. Moreover, they believed that if they conquer America, they would also be as rich as the first Spanish conquerors. They hoped that they would find gold in America or some route via America to Indies. There was hunger, war and drought in Spain, and they had to look for some better place to settle. America was the most favorable place to settle because it had enough food and had no instances of drought. The climate in America was also favorable compared to the harsh weather in Europe (Morison 167). The life in Europe was also harsh; diseases, war, hunger, lack of jobs and overpopulation. They were in search of better living conditions. Some Europeans moved to America to seek jobs. The owners of land in America would pay the European workers if they worked for some time (Morison 18). The American land was fertile and favorable for the practice of subsistence farming. The Europeans managed to practice subsistence farming and exported fish and cod to earn their living. They also settled in America for religious purposes since their diverse religious groups in Europe. The main religious groups in America were the Roman Catholics.
Analysis of Champlain’s Narrative “The Voyages” in Relation to American Literature
The work that will be analyzed is “The Voyages” by Samuel de Champlain. To understand the character of Champlain, the audience should know that he pursued his task bravely. He persisted despite the dangers, hardships and discouragement in developing France. He had personal objectives as an explorer (Champlain and Alice 113). The story of Champlain was delightful to read. Champlain had a profound love for the forest and the sea, and was never poignant in his expressions. With all his steadiness and soberness he also had imaginations. The achievements and labors of the explorers and navigators who paid visits to the coast were adequate to appreciate their contemporaries. The Europeans were interested in the resources of America. He also introduced Iroquois, Huron and Algonquin in France. After the times Cartier, the French people knew that there were savages in St Lawrence banks. Champlain is the one who initiated the body of literature in North America. The main theme of Champlain was the Indians. He concentrated on the lives of Indians during the voyages (Champlain and Alice 119). The fathers resided with the Indians for a long period such that they came to understand the Indian characters, customs and beliefs. Champlain also came to understand the Indians in Northern America.
However, the Jesuits concentrated on their missions to such an extend that they only focused on the lives of savages. Champlain manages to describe the Jesuits in great detail such that the audience get overwhelmed and forget about the Indian customs. Champlain’s writing was done with deep knowledge to reveal prominent traits. His passages are brief and only reveal those who were not specialists. The European perpetual interest in America lasted over three hundred years and was more in North America (Champlain and Alice 132). The readers see the voyages of Champlain in an authentic perspective. Champlain managed to see the red man on the war-path and in his wig man. Furthermore, Champlain saw the stoic bravery of the red man under torture and his cruelty while revenging. The stories of portage, canoe and the wilderness have never stopped fascinating Europe imaginations. Although the details of the narratives of Champlain may have been unadorned and plain, the readers get imaginations that offer the details.
Works Cited
Champlain, Samuel , and Alice Wilmere. Narrative of a Voyage to the West Indies and Mexico
in the Years 1599-1602. New York: B. Franklin, 1964. Print.
Champlain, Samuel , Charles P. Otis, and Edmund F. Slafter. Voyages of Samuel De Champlain:
Volume Iii. Charleston, S.C.: BiblioBazaar, 2006. Print.
Morison, Samuel E. The European Discovery of America: The Southern Voyages, A.d. 1492-
1616. New York: Oxford University Press, 1974. Print.
