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Australia and Northwest America. Thesis. The tribes of Native America were far more ‘ civilised ’ than their counterparts in Australia. Why?
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Thesis • The tribes of Native America were far more ‘civilised’ than their counterparts in Australia. • Why? - Generally, the land in Northwest America was more hospitable to animal and plant-life, allowing the Americans to settle down and continually hunt, forage and gather off the same land. On the other hand, Australia possesses a far more barren climate – especially the Outback. As a result, food was far more scarce and they had to keep moving to find it.
Categories Economic Society Permanent Villages
Economic • Native Americans had economic specialisation: - Masons - Artisans - Shamans - Warriors Whereas, the aboriginals had no specialisation and everyone was geared towards hunting & gathering; providing for the village only. Both traded across their respective regions and with neighboring tribes.
Economy Post-Columbus • The Europeans sought to trade more with the Native Americans than the Aboriginals. • Sought Fur from Americans, and gave them firearms in exchange.
Society • Native Americans had a social hierarchy, whereas the aboriginals didn’t. Chief > Shaman > Warrior > Everyone else • Both mythologies were rooted in the mystery of nature. • Some Native Americans owned slaves, whereas Aboriginals didn’t.
Society Post-Columbus • In the centuries that followed European arrival, the indigenous populations were removed from their lands and placed in reservations. • Both were unable to combat the European settlers, who were equipped with gunpowder and steel. • Today, both are a minority in their respective areas.
Settlements • Native Americans lived in permanent villages, whereas Aboriginals didn’t. • Native Americans often stored food, whereas Aboriginals didn’t.
Settlements Post-Columbus • Both peoples lost their freedoms. The Americans continued to live in villages; but on reservations dictated by Europeans. The Aboriginals were nomads no more - living on European reservations instead. • The Americans were far more combative towards the Europeans, but both peoples’ efforts were ultimately in vain.
Conclusion • Native American tribes bore far more similarity to civilisations than that of the Aboriginals. • Native Americans had economic specialisation, social hierarchies and permanent villages. • Both were utterly and permanently devastated by the arrival of European colonists.