Native American Colonial Policies

The colonists’ policy toward the Native Americans had different origins and therefore different consequences. Much has been written about the encounter of these two cultures, which would sooner or later bring about a painful clash. Because of their so different cultures, only one would prevail. The colonists as a group, depending on their beliefs, had harsh policy toward Native Americans. Native Americans, on the other hand, structured their lives on beliefs, which had no common base ground with the colonists. As a clear example of this, Native Americans believed that no one owned the land, that the rich earth was abundant for all. As the colonies populated, harsher policies toward Native Americans arose, and the conflicts between the colonists
Religion was the most important factor when establishing these policies, Religions guides people in all regards, especially in how to relate with other groups. In the case of the Puritans and Pilgrims in Massachusetts and Virginia, there could be no frame left to live in equality terms with Native Americans. Contrasting sharply with Penn’s religious beliefs the Puritans believed that only a few were to be saved. Therefore, under these beliefs they established their policy toward Native Americans. In Virginia, the landowners first tried to enslave Native Americans, and have them work their fields as slaves; when they could not do this they militarized their colony, against what they assured would be potential attacks. The colonists used force to obtain land from the Native American tribes. To the Puritans, Native Americans were heathens, savages. As New Englands’policy toward Native Americans is harshly applied, a stage is set, where disagreements, violence, and even bloody vengeance will erupt. Trade is severely affected; relations between the colonists and the Native Americans shattered Native Americans on how their world was vanishing forever. This clash of cultures and defeat of the Native Americans culture would eventually lead to the domination of all Native American tribes by European