The Great Encounter: Native Peoples and European Settlers in the Americas, 1492-1800Traditional histories of North and South America often leave the impression that Native American peoples had little impact on the colonies and empires established by Europeans after 1492. This groundbreaking study, which spans more than 300 years, demonstrates the agency of indigenous peoples in forging their own history and that of the Western Hemisphere. By putting the story of the indigenous peoples and their encounters with Europeans at the center, a new history of the "New World" emerges in which the Native Americans become vibrant and vitally important components of the British, French, Spanish, and Portuguese empires. In fact, their presence was the single most important factor in the development of the colonial world. By discussing the "great encounter" of peoples and cultures, this book provides a valuable, new perspective on the history of the Americas. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
According African Andean animals appeared became become began beginning believed Books British called Cambridge Caribbean Caribs Central century changed Christian Church Civilization coast Colonial Columbus communities conquest considered Crown culture death developed died diseases early earth economy eighteenth century empire encomienda encountered England English established Europe European exploration forced France French gold Guaranís History Holy human hunting important Inca Indians indigenous inhabitants islands Jesuits Jews John killed King labor land language later lived male Mayan Mayas Mexico military native natural never North America numbers officials once Origins Oxford percent perspective Peru political population Portuguese possessions priests Quechua region relations religion religious River rule sacred settlement settlers ships slavery slaves social societies South Spain Spaniards Spanish spiritual Taínos thought throughout trade traditional trans University Press villages wanted Western women World York