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Seeing Red: European Perceptions of Native Americans. By William Miskinis. I. Stereotypes. What is a stereotype?. I. Stereotypes. A stereotype is a broad generalization of a particular group of people. The generalization is usually negative. II. Savages.
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Seeing Red: European Perceptions of Native Americans By William Miskinis
I. Stereotypes • What is a stereotype?
I. Stereotypes • A stereotype is a broad generalization of a particular group of people. The generalization is usually negative.
II. Savages • During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Europeans made first contact with Native Americans. • Many Europeans, both in Europe and North America, considered the Native Americans to be savages. • What do you think is meant by the word “Savage”?
II. Savages • Europeans stereotyped Native Americans as savages who were lazy, ignorant and violent.
III. Noble Savage • Some Europeans had a different stereotype for the Native Americans. • They considered them to be Noble Savages.
III. Noble Savages • When Europeans considered Native Americans as Noble Savages, they thought all Native Americans were ignorant and technologically backwards, but pure of heart and law abiding.
III. Noble Savages • This perception was in part encouraged by Thomas Harriot, an Englishman who wanted to convince his king to support colonization of the New World. • He wrote A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia
III. Noble Savages • The following images, engraved by a man named Theodor de Bry, are taken from Harriot’s book. • Keep in mind Harriot’s purpose as we examine the images!
IV. Why Stereotype? • But WHY did Europeans stereotype Native Americans either as savages or noble savages?
IV. Why Stereotype? • If Europeans thought that Native Americans were savages, it gave them justification to be prejudiced against them, to steal from them, even to harm them.
IV. Why Stereotype? • If Europeans convinced other Europeans that Native Americans were Noble Savages, then Europeans might support colonization as a way to trade with Native Americans.
Review • 1. What was the Savage Stereotype? • 2. What was the Noble Savage Stereotype? • 3. Why did Europeans create these stereotypes? • 4. Do these stereotypes still exist today?