There were many important differences that impacted the contact and tension between Native Americans and
settlers. These differences are noted in narratives written by American settlers of the 1600s.
Difference Overview
The American settlers sometimes referred to the Native Americans as "SAVAGES", because they ran
around naked and were not Christians. This impacted the relations between the settlers and Native Americans, and sometimes
sparked conflict. This difference is referred to in some settler writing pieces. For example, in John Smith's "The General
History of Virginia":
The savages having drawn from George Cassen whither Captain Smith was gone, prosecuting that opportunity
thay followed him with three hundred bowmen, conducted by the King of Pamunkee, who in divisions searching the turnings of
the river found Robinson and Emry by the fireside; those they shot full of arrows and slew.
Another important cultural difference was the spiritual connection with nature. As stated on the
NATIVE AMERICAN page, the Native Americans had a very strong connection with nature, and the world they live with. In some
cases, certain animals were even worshipped. This is shown in Native American writing through the use of personification of
animals to emphasize their power. The settlers had a very different view on the world.
Basically, the Native Americans lived with, or even for, the land, while the settlers lived off
of the land.
Because of this, the Native Americans were able to use the land for their advantage against the
settlers. The Native Americans also used things from the environment more than the settlers, which they found to be interesting.
For example, in John Smith's "The General History of Virginia":
The queen of Appomattoc was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands, and another brought
him a bunch of feathers, instead of a towel, to dry them.
Also, because the Native Americans lived with the land, and not off of it, the settlers had advanced
technology that the Native Americans were impressed with. For example, in John Smith's "The General History of Virginia":
Much they marvelled at the playing of the fly and needle (compass), which they could see so
plainly and yet not touch it because of the glass that covered them. But when he demonstrated by that globe-like jewel
the roundness of the earth and skies, the sphere of the sun, moon, and stars, and how the sun did chase the night around about
the world continually, the greatness of the land and sea, the diversity of nations, variety of complexions, and how we were
to them antipodes (two places on opposite sides of the Earth) and many other such like matters, they all stood as amazed
with admiration.
Some of these technologically advanced tools were traded with the Native Americans for food, clothing,
and other necessities. (This is important, because the settlers were going through a Starving Time, in which many of the settlers
died of starvation and disease.)
