d
d
 Were the Native Americans Really "Primitive"? - Ming
d
d
The Native Americans had both highly developed and incredibly primitive cultures. Perhaps Columbus thought that the inhabitants of Guanihani and all “Indians” were apathetic pushovers, but had he encountered the Aztecs, he would have been forced to eat his words. Although the Aztecs and other great Native American civilizations were very advanced (Cortes and his soldiers were delighted when they encountered the flushing privy,) many of their practices would be considered subhuman in today’s society. Many Aztec religious ceremonies involved removing the still-beating hearts of thousands of captives (usually prisoners taken in “Flowery Wars” specially arranged for the purpose of acquiring sacrificial victims,) and throwing the bodies off their pyramid-like temples. In other parts of the Americas however, there were many peace-loving hunter-gatherer tribes like the Cheyenne, who lived out a continuous cycle of pursuing the herds of buffalo on the Great Plains. In conclusion, no society is perfect, and the Native Americans cannot be classified as either primitive or civilized, but actually their societies were in some ways far more developed than the cultures of their genocidal European counterparts. An interesting question is; how would the civilizations in North and South America have developed if they had continued to be isolated from the rest of the world, would they have progressed into the invention of the car, sliced bread, and the computer?

d
How did Columbus’ description of the natives differ from his treatment? - Chloe

              Columbus’s description of the Tainos in his diary was exactly the opposite of how he treated them. Columbus thought that Tainos were healthy, wonderful and generous but he made them his slaves. In his diary, he wrote how wonderful these natives were and how they understood each other easily. Columbus’s desire for gold and other valued things made him force the Tainos to look for gold, and Columbus sailed back to Spain with two dozen Tainos slaves who wore chains of gold upon their necks, Columbus claimed that there was plenty of gold in the Tainos land. This lead him to make the encomienda system. I think that is why his treatment to them was so bad because he was selfish and wanted gold for himself. I think that Columbus’s thoughts were different from his actions.

d
d
How were the Spanish able to conquer the great civilizations of the Americas with limited men and resources? - Vincent
d
d
 The Spanish were able to conquer the great civilizations of the Americas because of several tactics. One of their tactics employed by one of their leaders Hernando Cortez in 1519. He marched into the Aztec capital of Tenochitlan and arrested their king, Montezuma II.
Francisco Pizarro used similar tactics in 1572 against the Incas. Pizzaro invited their leader, Atahualpa to meet him unarmed, then captured Atahualpa, defeating the Incas even though they were badly outnumbered, with a mere 175 men and one inefficient cannon.
Other coincidences which helped greatly included Aztec and Inca astrologers believing doom would come soon, coming during harvest time, when the Indians were not ready, and that both civilizations believed that the Spanish were gods.

http://www.anthro.mankato.msus.edu/prehistory/latinamerica/topics/spanish_conquest.html

 d
 d
What were the immediate and long term effects of the Columbian Exchange?
By: Regina Nieu
 d
After the discovery of America, there was the Columbian Exchange. The
Columbian Exchange is when they brought stuff from the "Old World" tothe
"New World" and stuff from the "New World" to the "Old World". They
exchanged stuff like plants, animals, people and diseases. TheColumbian
Exhange had immediate effects, because the diseases brought over by the
people from the "Old World" killed many native people. The nativesnever
encountered these diseases before, so it quickly killed them. Therewere
long term effects, because the people brought over to the "New World"were
African slaves. They were treated harshly and many were killed or they
committed suicide. The slave trade continued until the Civil War. The
animals that were brought to the "New World" multiplied rapidly. Theysoon
had lots of meat to eat, unfortunately, the animals needed to eat andsince
there were so many, many plants and animals became extinct. The plantsfound
in the "New World" was very unique to the appetite of the settlers. It gave
their foods more varity. Unfortunatly, when they found tobacco, theywanted
more and more, so they started slavery. If there was no ColumbianExchange,
we probably would have to eat the same boring food everyday.

http://www.millersv.edu/~columbus/data/cwk/EXCHANGE.CWKdd
 d
 d
What were the disadvantages of mercantilism? - Sean

        There were many disadavantages of mercantilism for both the mother
country and its colonies.  It is a disadvantage to the mother country
because the mother country is usually far away from its colonies andhad
major problems running the colonies. The mother country had to sendover
troops and soldiers to help keep the colonies in line. The were also alot
of disadvantages for the colonies. The colonies hated being ruled by a
country that was far away and they hated the troops they sent overbecause
they had to house and make sure the troops got taken care of.  Thecolonies
also hated the taxes that were put on them from all the way across the
world, taxation with out representation was always a big disputebecause the
mother country would place taxes on the colonists but wouldn't evencome
over and collect it, they had to send it back to the mother country.Both
the mother country and the colonies have many disadvantages when itcomes to
mercantilism.
d
d
Was the life of an indentured servant worth the possible freedom? - Vincent

 It was not worth the remote chance of freedom to be an indentured servant because of the inhumane work conditions. Children who worked in coal mines got no more than 70 cents a day for ten hours of tedious, monotonous work, sitting on a hard bench picking coal off the wall. In a period of about 30 years, 10,000 men and boys in coal mines died, while 25,000 were injured. The air in the mines was filled with coal and was hazardous to the workers’ health. In the Avondale disaster of 1869, the poorly ventilated furnace in the Avondale coal mines caused a fire that killed at least 60 men. In New York, cash girls got $1.75 a week for work that sometimes demanded 16 hours of work a day, yet despite this terribly low pay, the girls were sometimes forced to buy their own aprons. These unbearable work conditions overwhelmingly outweigh any bonuses that these jobs might give.

http://www.cis.yale.edu/amstud/inforev/riis/chap20.html
http://www.history.ohio-state.edu/projects/coal/Avondale/Avondale.htm
http://www.history.ohio-state.edu/projects/coal/LifeOfCoalMiner/
d
d
What religious influences affected colonization in the Americas? - Vrinda
d
d
      There were religions that influenced the colonization of the
United States of America.  Christianity was probably the main
influence, but other religions also made an impact.  The first
amendment clearly states that Congress cannot make a law respecting an
establishment of religion and as Article VI in Section 3 says, "no
religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office
or public trust under the United States," but it does not always work
like that. There are many acts which question if our society was built
on a religion, such as Christianity, like how it says "in God we trust"
on American money and "God" is mentioned in the pledge of allegiance
and presidential oaths.  The first Jews in the thirteen colonies
settled in Northern Virginia and other areas on the east coast,
spreading their beliefs around them.  Throughout American history,
there have been attempts at the separation or connection of state and
church, like in 1779 when Thomas Jefferson introduced a bill which
became a law in Virginia for the Statute for Religious Freedom.  It is
good that all Americans have the right to practice whatever religion
they want since all men are created equal.
 

d
Why did the Puritans object to the behavior of Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams? - Chloe
 
Many Puritans objected to the behavior of Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams because although they were puritans, they had different beliefs. Some of the beliefs of the Puritans were that putting the English law and the Bible together would be good for the people and to get rid of all the Catholic rituals and traditions that existed in the Anglican church. Roger Williams, a puritan minister believed in strict separation of the church and of the state. That is why people in my opinion did not like different beliefs. Anne Hutchinson was charged with weakening the church and was banished. Roger Williams was banished also because Puritans did not like separation of church and state.
d 

d
Why did Puritans object to the behavior of Anne Hutchinson and Roger
Williams?-Regina

The Puritans did not like the fact that Anne was holding informal church
meetings in her house, discussing the pastor's services and thepreaching of
her beliefs. Anne was also a woman, and a woman leading a big number ofmen
and women was a threat to the Puritan's authority. Roger Williams was a
preacher and soon had Salem spinning with Separatist fever so the court
thought that it was better to just get rid of Williams instead of thewhole
town of Salem. Since Annie and Roger was kicked out, they both went toRhode
Island. It was too bad that they could not preach about what theybelieved,
but at least they discovered Rhode Island.

http://www.gms.ocps.k12.fl.us/biopage/h-m/hutchinson.html
http://www.naccc.org/congregationalist/Volume157/Number4/exile.html
d 

d
What Was Wrong with the Beliefs of Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams? - Angela
 

Puritans strongly objected to the beliefs and behavior of Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams.  Anne believed that anybody could be saved, and that faith was enough to gain salvation.  She said that anyone could talk to god and get an answer, if they listened.  These beliefs scared the Puritan church because she was defying their whole purpose as Puritans.  Anne said that all Puritan ministers were preaching the covenant of works, except for John Cotton who was preaching the Covenant of Grace.  Roger Williams was opposed, by the Puritans, in his beliefs that the government should not control religious beliefs, he wanted the church and the state to be separate.  Both Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams were banished for their beliefs by the Puritan colonies in Massachusetts around the 1630’s and 1640’s.

http://www.naccc.org/congregationalist/Volume157/Number4/exile.html

http://www.noblesweb.org/cp4/LEAbraham.html

http://cpcug.org/user/billb/hutch.html

http://www.gospelcom.net/chi/calendar/oct9.html

http://www.geocities.com/~vlague/faculty/hutchin.htm
d 

d

What were the consequences of the Seven Years War? - Brett

http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/E/7yearswar/fiw03.htm
http://history1700s.miningco.com/education/history/history1700s/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://members.aol.com/Mike3938/seven.html

 The British Victory in the Seven-Year War took France out of North America, leaving only Spain and the British Empire. This meant that Great Britain had more power, influence and trade in the New World. Many French overseas possessions were lost like Africa, India, America, Canada, the Middle East and many other significant territories in the world. If not for their victory in the Seven Years' War, Britain would have never had the power to invade so many other countries. Also there would be no America because w/o the Seven Years’ War Britain became greedier over the Americas and imposed taxes. Also some rich Russians cam more “European” because of Russia’s influence in it.
d
d
Anthony's Views on the Seven Year's War

The Seven Year’s War, from 1756 to 1763, was significantbecause in
the late 1700’s Britain took over many parts of America that werepreviously
French territory.  The reason America was affected by the Seven Year’sWar
was because when Britain defeated France, America was now the British
territory.  If the Seven Year’s War had not been fought, there mightnot
have been the Revolutionary War in America.  America was not the only
country that was affected massively by the war; India, Russia, and alot of
Europe was totally changed by the war.    The countries, France andBritain
each wanted more land in America so when Britain won the Seven Year’sWar
the British acquired a large portion of America.  India would have beenmuch
more technological now if the British had not been there becauseBritain did
not spend any money on India’s advancement.  In all, the Seven Year’sWar
was very significant because it shaped America into the country it istoday.
d
Do you believe in the Benjamin Franklin's "Thirteen Values"? - Vrinda

I do not believe in Benjamin Franklin's thirteen
virtue.  His frugality virtue is not what I would say, I believe that
the only way you can learn is from your mistakes.  It is better to be
unique than perfect.  His moderation virtue is good because too much of
anything is bad for you, even happiness (you don't learn to appreciate
good).  His values are of those to be strict and proper but it is
better to be spontaneous.  Often it is good to act with his thirteen
virtues: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry,
sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and
humility to be polite, and they are important as well.  Sometimes
though, it is better to just respect yourself and those around you andbe kind.
http://www.u.arizona.edu/~patti/more_covey.html
d
d
The role of African American churches in the history of America- Amna

The role of African American churches in building strong communities
for free blacks in the North played a very important part in Americas
history.  African American churches were not only made for spiritual
reasons, but also for social reasons.  The black churches were usually
Baptist or Methodist so the priest wouldn't have to do a special type of
training.  These Christian churches were a type of government for
independent free black communities, and gave hope and to them.  The
teachings of culture and religion were taught in most black churches,
and singing was used as a way of worship.  Most of these churches were
in the North because all the blacks ran to the North to escape from
slavery.  If it weren't for the communities of these African American
Churches, the black population in American wouldn't be what it is today.

Info found at: http://www.nps.gov/boaf/hischu~1.htm

Was it reasonable for the English to tax the colonists to help pay fora
war fought in their defense? - George

This question depends on which side you
are. If you are a colonist it is terrible. On the other hand if you are
from Britain it is great. The British still had control over thecountry
even though its inhabitants were revolting they could still legally tax
them. The British are not bad people for doing this, hey if you could
get money from someone wouldn't you.
d
What was the impact of Lord Dunmore's proclamation? - Vrinda

Lord Dunmore created a proclamation on November 7,
1775 on a ship named William off the coast of Norfolk.  This encouraged
all able-bodies slaves to work with him to fight, with freedom as what
they got, against many of the Virginia colony's people.  However, if
they even thought of rebelling, they would be punished with death.
There was a General Convention where people discussed it being unfair
for these slaves to use firearms against the people of the colony and
abandoning their master's (Lord Dunmore's) wishes should be punished
with death.  That it was a pointless and inhumane proclamation.  While
freedom is good, you shouldn't have to do something you don't want for
freedom, because then it really isn't freedom anymore.

http://www.ilt.columbia.edu/k12/history/blacks/fear.html

d

d
Why did France Help America during the Revolution? - Anthony
d
France joined the Revolutionary War in 1778 against GreatBritain,
France was allied with America, after the war France wanted land from
America.  During the revolutionary war France, when America won theBattle
of Saratoga France signed an alliance on February 1778.  The Frenchprovided
America with gold, supplies, a fleet, and troops.  France then declaredwar
on Great Britain and was joined by Spain and Netherlands in 1780. After the
war France received land rights from America.  The main reason forwanting
the land was because before the war France only had what now is called
Haiti.  I think that without France, Spain and the Netherlands helpAmerica
couldn’t have won the Revolutionary War.

d
d
 

Within the context of the late 18th century, were the compromises
reached by the delegates reasonable? - Anthony
d

In order for the constitution to be agreed upon, manyreasonable
and unreasonable compromises were made.  The Great Compromise and the
3/5th’s Compromise are two examples of agreements made between the
delegates.  The Great Compromise was a fair agreement because that’swhen
they split the congress into two sections, the Senate, which the small
states liked, and the House of Representatives, which the big statesliked,
this was so that little and big states would agree on how the congresswas
run.  The Senate, with two votes for each state, and the House of
Representatives, with votes according to their population, served theneeds
of the large and small states.  Another compromise that was not fairwas the
3/5th’s Compromise, this was an unreasonable compromise because itmeant
slaves only counted as 3/5th’s of a person in the House ofRepresentatives.
This compromise was unreasonable because slaves deserved to be countedas
whole persons, even though they were not voters.  Of course, thereshould
not have been slaves in the first place.  In all, the compromises madeto
get agreement on the constitution were not all permanent, like the3/5th’s
Compromise, but there were some like the Great Compromise that workvery
well even today.

The Irony of Slavery and the Constitution - Ming

 Regretfully, among others, the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were denied to many of those held in slavery. From the time when Africans were rounded up in their village homes, sold to slave traders, and made to endure the grueling Middle Passage to their new homes, slaves were denied the right of liberty. If that is not horrific enough, thousands were also denied the right to live. Countless innocent “blacks” died during the voyage to America because of poor living conditions, and when among the possessions of their new masters, many slaves were beaten to death for trivial reasons. Perhaps the most cruel of all was the denial of a slave’s right to pursue happiness by his or master, numerous atrocities like splitting up families, trying to “break” a slave’s will, and the practice of slavery itself abounded for hundreds of years mainly in the Southern states of America. The men who wrote the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, were the well bred, well-fed, well-read, and well-wed elite of American society, many of which owned thousands of slaves. The fact is that the rights claimed to be those inalienable of all, in truth only applied to the exclusive class of men who wrote the aforementioned documents for many years. Even presently, prejudice is still a conflict in America, perhaps it could justified that all people are simply not equal, and that life is never fair, but this does not excuse the sometimes horrific treatment of slaves by their masters.

What rights, claimed by the Declaration of Independence to be the inalienable rights of all men, were denied to those held in slavery?  Could such contradictions be justified? - Vincent

 Part of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence stated, “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the founding fathers were self-contradictory because they didn’t apply what they wrote about to slaves. The part of the paragraph that says, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” was not followed.  Slaves were killed, denied of even basic rights like funerals in dangerous times, and forced to work until they dropped. These contradictions could perhaps be justified, however, because some of the founding fathers, like John Adams tried to stop slavery. George Washington declared, “I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it [slavery],” and other founding fathers made similar comments, like “[M]y opinion against it [slavery] has always been known... [N]ever in my life did I own a slave,” said by John Adams. Since these founding fathers worked their hardest to stop slavery but still failed, it is justified that they contradicted themselves.

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g003.html