Treatment of the Natives

I am living in a time of the conquering of new lands. However, with the conquering of new lands comes the conquering of the indigenous peoples on those lands. I have heard of once great civilizations living in the New World, before the Spaniards had set foot on them. Most importantly, I have heard of the Aztecs, who were once a magnificent civilization but were reduced to nothing by one Hernan Cortes. It is quite a shame that we Europeans have to resort to such brutal massacring of the natives in order to gain land. Although I myself have not been as cordial to the Indians, the Spanish have been cruel to them through their encomienda system and the mass conquer of the Aztecs. Another instance of brutality toward the natives was the conquering of the Incas by Francisco Pizarro. The Spaniards are not the only group of people to blame. The Portuguese introduced slave trafficking along the African coast. I have heard of the mass decrease in population of the Africans and the destruction between their communities.

             The natives are a genial and welcoming group of people. On my first trip in the New World, I met the Indian tribe of the Iroquois, acquainting myself with their Chief, Donnacona. They were very generous and eager to trade with us. However, relations quickly became strained when the natives became aware of my intent marking on their land and also my kidnappy of Donnacona’s two sons. On my other trips back to Canada, the Indians, especially the ones of other tribes and villages, were less than cordial. During the winter, they even became hostile, and on one occasion, thirty-five of my settlers were killed.

Jacques Cartier

Source: http://www.chroniclesofamerica.com/french/jacques_cartier_voyages.htm