Introduction to Native American Cultures as Europeans Arrived

The America that greeted the first Europeans was far from an empty wilderness. It is now thought that as many people lived in the Western Hemisphere as in Western Europe at that time – about 40 million. Estimates of the number of Native Americans living in what is now the United States at the onset of European colonization range from two to 18 million, with most historians tending toward the lower figure. What is certain is the devastating effect that European disease had on the indigenous population practically from the time of initial contact. Smallpox, in particular, ravaged whole communities & is thought to have been a much more direct cause of the precipitous decline in the Indian population in the 1600s than the numerous wars & skirmishes with European settlers.

Indian customs & culture at the time were extraordinarily diverse, as could be expected, given the expanse of the land & the many different environments to which they had adapted. Some generalizations, however, are possible. Most tribes, particularly in the wooded eastern region & the Midwest, combined aspects of hunting, gathering, & the cultivation of maize & other products for their food supplies. In many cases, the women were responsible for farming & the distribution of food, while the men hunted & participated in war.

By all accounts, Native-American society in North America was closely tied to the land. Identification with nature & the elements was integral to religious beliefs. Their life was essentially clan – oriented & communal, with children allowed more freedom & tolerance than was the European custom of the day.

Although some North American tribes developed a type of hieroglyphics to preserve certain texts, Native-American culture was primarily oral, with a high value placed on the recounting of tales & dreams. Clearly, there was a good deal of trade among various groups & strong evidence exists that neighboring tribes maintained extensive & formal relations – both friendly & hostile.