Cultures and Civilizations of the Americas by Europeans

The significance of this model was that it accounted for the duty period of natal cultures and explains the racially mixed populations that characterize modern Latin America to this day. The matter is also important because it shows that the pattern of developing founded by Christopher Columbus also explains the subjugation and exploitation of the autochthonous cultures and resources of the Americas: 1) Gold, pearls, and valuable spices; 2) Beautiful plants and animals; and, 3) Subjugation of indigenous cultures and religious and organization domination of them (Norton et al., 2000, p. 19-20).

Norton (et al., 2000) also provides a variety of data, statistics, and quantities to demonstrate the oppression and exploitation of indigenous cultures in the Americas by Europeans. For instance, Norton (et al., 2000) cites the "thousands" of Indians and other indigenous packs of the Americas who "embraced Catholicism," primarily because they were obedient and it was the religion of their conquerors (p. 25). Norton (et al., 2000) al

so uses statistics to prove the point that diseases imported by Europeans were responsible for wiping out "hundreds of thousands" of Indians and others in the Americas (p. 25). Norton (et al., 2000) also uses statistics to demonstrate the primitive sailplaning and mapping skills of European invaders, such as the difference amongst the 3,000 miles Columbus felt separated the continents and the more accurate 12,000 miles communicate by many a(prenominal) others of the era (p. 18).

There are a few unanswered questions, with some even highlighted by the author, with take to be to European invasion and the devastation wrought on indigenous peoples of the Americas. For example, the Spanish explorer Soto was known for his brutality toward native villages he encountered. Cofitachequi used her brains and instincts to survive the invasion of Soto, helping save her people and village in the process.

However, Lady Cofitachequi greeted Soto in a tender manner and led him away from her people before escaping. in so far the reason why she did so remains unknown, but, as Norton (et al., 2000) maintains, "any(prenominal) her reasoning, the strategy worked: Soto and his men moved on, and although they destroyed other villages and peoples, Cofitachequi survived to be recorded by Spanish, French, and finally English visitors" (p. 4).

In sum, the chapter does an pure job of illustrating how the initial contact of Europeans with indigenous cultures of the Americas was one-sided and scourge to the indigenous cultures of the Americas. The chapter is very complete, providing both insights and explanations of all cultures of the Americas and Europe touch on in these initial exchanges. The chapter is also complete in provided an aim and balanced viewpoint of these initial exchanges from the perspective of both Europeans and cultures of the Americas. The chapter demonstrates that many of the social relations, economic, religious, and political structures of the modern Americas were influenced d
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