How much native american influence you think america had as a democracy and culture?
 

To me it seems kind of obvious, but i havent digged into it alot.

The things that triggers questions in my mind about just how much influence the native american way of living had on new arrivals in North America.

- Gender equality, 200 years in advance:

I dont know how it is in the US, but here in Canada one of the first legitimization of women being legally allowed to walk around bare breasted is in the 2000s.

Iroquois, for example, were a matriarchal society. Where the leader of the tribe was a woman. Western women fought for the right to vote in the 20th century, only getting it in the 1940s in Quebec where i live.

- The way some native american tribes resolved problems:

all sitting around and discussing things, where everyone is allowed to participate makes me think of parliaments and congress.

- The sexual freedom of women who could fuck one guy, decide it wouldnt work and pick another husband, which would be unthinkable in women-oppressed Europe and western culture.

Im forgetting stuff, but just to start things off. I think its deplorable that native americans often get this shit rap about them just living in shitholes and contributed nothing to civilization. Back then they wouldnt even call them civilized.

Fact is, when spaniards entered tenochtitlan (the space where modern-day Mexico city lies) they had never seen anything like it. 100k population city on a network of island blocks where farming produced all kinds of weird fruits and vegetables.

I don't think Native Americans get a bad rap, at least not in public schools; they tend to be praised a lot in the school systems. Anyway, Robert Pirsig has some interesting ideas about this in his book 'Lila' that I'm reading now. He thinks that American culture (specifically USA) is part European and part Native American, and that we can see the Native American influences, which are often overlooked, by contrasting with the European influences. One poignant example he gives is the classic Western movie protagonist, whose cool demeanor, taciturn behavior, sudden violence when provoked, and various other characteristics strongly evoke Native Americans, but we never associate this archetype with Native Americans because it was a subconscious thing and because Native Americans were demonized publicly. He says that this archetype developed from mountain men and pioneers who admired and took after Native Americans, and who then later transferred their behaviors to these Western movie heroes and the like. My recounting of this isn't complete or totally accurate, though, so I would just read the book.

1st week of College History 1301?

Aww are you sore about that reply in that other thread? :(

You can always enlighten us with your knowledge instead of being a smart-ass!

More like a whole life spent in Quebec hating white people and Western culture. He's the same kinda moron that will rant about how horrible the US is and refer to Iran as peaceful and tolerant in the same breath.

He's a bleeding heart liberal troll at it's finest.

Republic.

Actually if you would know the history of Quebec, youd know we are more liberal here in Quebec because we used to be called "White ******s" by english canadians and told to "speak white". Theres a parallel to be made with how blacks were treated historically in the states and french canadians, although the abuse was milder. So that kinda puts things in perspective for some of us, and yes we have views on american racism as well. Thats not the purpose of this thread though, so i wont answer any more personal attacks.

I guess what I meant to say is: You're an idiot. Shut the fuck up. You don't know shit about Native Americans. Sitting around talking to resolve disputes? Yeah, the European colonists did the same thing. It's called "Diplomacy", dipshit. And I find it hilarious that you think the Iriqois and Aztec were some sort of progressive cultures. Get a clue. They sacrificed babies to the fucking sun.

I didnt say they were perfect. Does Europe burning a hundred thousand women during the 2 centuries the witch craze lasted mean that Bartolomé de las Casas (chronicler of human rights abuses by spanish conquistadors) never existed?

I wont get dragged into a flame war, although i kind of expected it and why i posted in R&F. If you think that native americans in general were evil or whatever, feel free to post why you think they were baby-murdering sun worshiping heathens.