Quote:
Originally Posted by SnotBoogy
Not sarcastic. I'm saying that I didn't get told the natives were anything but savages after eating Thanksgiving with the pilgrims.
I had a similar experience growing up with one exception. My grandmother happened to be Cherokee. I had the advantage of the aside whisper whenever these discussions took place, which instilled a healthy sense of skepticism about what I was being told.
The Aztecs and Incas were both repressive regimes, the Spanish were way better at it... plus they had the added advantage of being mistaken for gods (veracocha (sp?)). There is a common misconception that Pizarro et al were only looking for gold and riches, when in fact, they recognized the hierarchy and opportunity to become 'kings' in their own right. Life didn't end well for many in those days, Native or European.
This book, by Kim Macquarrie was pretty decent on the subject (for all I know) and I enjoyed it.
Not sure if there is an analog in the Northern Continent. From all I've seen they were less centralized, but I could be wrong. If anybody knows of a more current, less biased accounting of native tribes I'd read it. For my history I only know Sequoia and John Ross, who were and are held in pretty high esteem.