The Impact of the John's of Virginia: John Smith and John Rolfe

Overview:

     (danielshays01) The fact that we as students have been lied to since the beginning of grade school, is quite the downer. Christopher Columbus was actually not the first to discover the “West Indies”. That area had been fished for many years prior to his expedition, and other continents had already reached the Americas. The only reason that it is portrayed as the great discovery, is simply because of the way the Europeans responded to his findings. The reason why Europeans had never noticed this is because the fishermen that had been there, were not there to find new spices or new land. They where there for one reason and one reason only, and that was to fish.  They never really thought anything of the land that they may have come across because they werent searching for new land. Prior to Columbus's exploration of the “new” world, many native tribes had lived there for numerous years.  Some of the tribes being the Iroqouis, Mound Builders, and the Anasazi.  Now lets take a closer look at the Pre-Columbian North American Native American Civilizations.(danielshays01)

 

(JohnPershing01) Since first grade, we are taught that Christopher Columbus was the first person to discover America, and when he found it, it was inhabited by uncivilized natives. However, in reality, the "New World" had been discovered over a thousand years before Columbus's famous journey across the Atlantic. In addition, the "uncivilized natives" were actually a sofisticated people with intricate laws and ancient traditions that coinsided with their sacred religions.

    

 (JamesOglethorpe01) Pre-Columbian North American Civilizations were founded by traveling nomads who reached North America around 14,000 years ago. The most popular theory of their arrival is that a land bridge formed between Siberia and Alaska and allowed the nomads to travel across the current gap. This land bridge was formed when a great ice age formed glaciers across much of North America and caused colossal amounts of sea water to be drawn inland. This lowered the sea level enough for the bridge to emerge. From Alaska these first Americans traveled through an "ice-free corridor" down the Pacific coast and into what is now the United States. It was here in the Western states that the true first settlers began to evovle from bands of hunters and gatherers to large agricultural villages.

http://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/anth7_hist1.html

 

( JamesMadison01)  Before the arrival of Columbus, Pre-Columbian societies had developed advanced farming societies. Though there were semi-nomadic hunter-gather societies. When the Europeans arrived on the North American continent, they brought their want to control. Even with the Native Americans civilized culture, they could not defend themselves from the foreign diseases and guns the Europeans had brought to their land.

 

 

•  Anasaz i- Some of the oldest Native Americans in Pre-Columbian North America were the Ancestral Pueblos, or Anasazi. The Anasazi were established around 1500BC and (according to most historians) evolved into the Pueblo in roughly 700AD. Originally located in the "four corners" (the place where Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado meet), the Anasazi people were first hunters and gathers but soon became skilled farmers, growing crops such as cotton, corn, beans, and squash. (danielshays01) When the change occured, they began creating pottery and also constructing other artifacts.(DanielShays01) Unlike their later descendents, the Anasazi did not build adobe houses or use mud bricks, rather, they lived in family pithouses (shallow excavations roofed by earth and wood). A common name for the Ancestral Pueblos were the Basketmakers because of their advanced skill in weaving in addition to their extensive and impressive pottery work. The Anasazi also studied the moon and the stars to aid with planting seasons, which is evident in some of the many petroglyphs that the people are known for. In additon to astronomy themed glyphs, animals and movement patterns are also immortalized on cave walls and stones. Not much is known about the Anasazi religion except for what the modern day Pueblo people have had passed down orally generation to generation. An intersting note is that no group of people or tribe ever called themselves the Anasazi because it is actually a Navajo word meaning ancient enemy, which makes sense, for the Ancestral Pueblos occationally clashed with the Navajo Indians. (JohnPershing01)

         http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc/who_were_the_anasazi.html#who

         http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0002130.html    

                 In Chaco Canyon, New Mexico archaeologists have uncovered abundant evidence of the ancient Anasazi civilization. These ancient detectives have found much evidence that leads to suggest that Chaco Canyon was the center of Anasazi culture. Ancient Anasazi roads have also been uncovered that are believed to connect Chaco Canyon to other important settlements. Today, the Anasazi people are linked to a number of mysteries. The wood found in their pithouses has only also been uncovered in areas as far as fifty miles from where it was used. The other, more famous mystery is the Anasazi's strange disappearence. Archaeologists have found little to explain why their homes were deserted, but it is assumed to be either climate change the negatively impacted the growing season or an increase of other nomadic tribes in the general area. (JamesOglethorpe01)

          http://pages.towson.edu/brenda/newmexico/anasazi.htm

          http://www.indians.org/articles/anasazi-indians.html

 

(DanielShays01) As we know, the Anasazi were located in the Four Corners. The Four Corners had an arid biome meaning that the air is very dry and has very little if not any moisture. This meant that the Anasazi had to create an irrigation system so they could farm. They used very few tools made of stone, wood, and bone. They did so because the use of metal for farming had not yet been brought in to the Anasazi culture. Most of the food that the Anasazi had eaten was from farming. Yes, they also ate on small game and other sources of meat. They ate twice a day and each meal had an offering that was for the Gods. The offering was done by tossing food into the fire. The father or man that ran the house was the one responsible for the offering.

 

The Anasazi constructed their homes out of the sides of caves and mountains. This was done because they knew that a cave is cool and moist. If it was not for these idea's, who knows how they would have lasted over time.(DanielShays01)http://www.puebloindian.com/pueblo_history_001.htm

 

(JamesMadison01) The Anasazi peoples' clothes today are very difficult to find because it is perishable. the clothes that could be found are blankets, shirts, robes, aprons, kilts, breechcloths, socks, and belts. These can be made out of vegetal fibers, animal hair and human hair. Jewelry was very common with the Anasazi. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, arm bands, hair combs, and pins were all made from bone, wood, coal, and stones such as turquoise and slate. Some precious stones had ritual signifigance as badges of office.http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc/who_were_the_anasazi.html

 

•      Cheyenne Indians- At the time when the Europeans met them, the Cheyenne Indians were living on the Great Plains in what is now South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. They are known for greatly incorporating horses into their culture after being introduced to the animal by Europeans. The Cheyenne were nomadic, living in temporary villages of buffalo-hide teepees that were designed to be able to set up and break down easily to allow the village to move with the buffalo herds. The men were hunters or chiefs, while the women were in charge of duties at home, like gathering fruits and tanning hides (however, unlike most plains tribes, women also took part in buffalo hunts). Bows and arrows, war clubs, spears, and hide shields were the weapons of choice for the Cheyenne Indians.  They were led by a council of 44 chiefs, 4 from each "band" with the remaining four being the chief advisers. They communicated with other Great Plains tribes using the Plains Sign Language in order to trade buffalo hides for tobacco or corn.  <mauricesendak01>

<http://www.bigorrin.org/cheyenne_kids.htm>

<http://www.cheyenneindian.com/cheyenne_history_001.htm> 

 

• Pueblos- Descendants of the Ancestral Pueblos, the Pueblos were located in what is now New Mexico and Arizona. The migration south from the four corners was most likely the result of drought or invasion by the Navajo and Apache. They are commonly known for their intricate and large multi-storied adobe houses, which were commonly built into clift sides, which helped bring them their name, that means village in Spanish. The Acoma pueblo, built circa 1300AD, is still inhabited today. Like their predecessors, the Pueblos were skilled in pottery making and rellied on agriculture for their main food supply. Hunting and gathering was used for a period until it became impractical due to location and the dominion of farming. Before hunting and gathering became obsolete, the women of the tribe were responsible for farming while the men hunted. Pueblo religion is based on maintaining harmony with the natural world. One of the physical facets of the religion is the many kivas that the native people built (underground ceremonial chambers). As well as serving as a stage for various metaphysical ceremonies, the kivas also served as private clubs and lounges for men. (JohnPershing01)        

         http://www.dragonflydream.com/puebloindians.html

         http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482769/Pueblo-Indians 

               Pueblo villages were usually presided over by a "cacique" who served as a local chief and religious leader. In the past the Pueblo people were separated by the usage of four completely separate languages: Hopi, Zuni, Keresan, and Tanoan. These languages were completely different and translator were often essential (However, today most Pueblos also speak English). Pueblo women were also responsible for keeping up the home and looking after family. Pueblos did much of their transportation on foot, however they did create a "travois" that was a sled pulled by dogs that resembled the ones in Alaska today. Pueblos did begin to use horses upon European arrival. The Spanish settlers began conflict with the Pueblos and eventually enslaved and converted many of them. Fables and fairy-tales were a very important part of Pueblo culture and are still handed down from generation to generation today. (JamesOglethorpe01)

          http://www.bigorrin.org/pueblo_kids.htm

 

(JamesMadison01)    In the early years of the Pueblos, they had lived in caves but years later they began to make homes out of sand and adobe. Every house was built around the kiva. the kiva was a round building where the men met to discuss problems and worship. The Pueblos Beleived in ancestral spirits called Kachinas who came with the clouds and rain to help their people. the Pueblos beleived that the Kachinas once lived among them but left because of the lack of attention. before they left they taught the  people their dance. Now the Pueblos held cerimonies and religious festivals in which they asked the Kachinas to bring rain for their crops. The children had gotten dolls of the Kachinas when they were young but once they became thirteen, the secret of the Kachinas was revealed to them. http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports2/pueblo2.htm

 

• Iroquois- The Iroquois, also known as the Haudenosaunee, lived in present day New York state, along the St. Lawrence River and in the surrounding woodlands. The Iroquois were actually a confederacy of six nations; the Cayuga, Mohawk, Onieda, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora indians. This confederation of tribes was ruled by the Iroquois Great Council, which was composed of several elected members from each tribe and was called regulary to make political desicions and to vote on various issues that would arise. In addition, each individual tribe had tribal council to resolve local problems. The Iroquois lived in large longhouses made of an elm wood frame with animal skin stretched over to make the outside walls. Ranging from 25-125 feet, the longhouses could hold anywhere from 30-60 people. Haudenosaunee people wore deer skins clothes year long, with the addition of moccasins in the winter to keep their feet warm in the snow. The women of the Iroquois tribes would use beads made from shells to decorate their clothing, as well as for trading however the beads had a more cultural signifigance than monetary. For food, the men of the respective tribes would go into the nearby woods and hunt large animals, mainly deer, while the women were in the village tending to the farms and attending domestic needs as well as raising the children. The Iroquois had a matrilineal social structure, which meant that the females always owned the family's property and that the women determined kinship. When a man got married, he would join his new wife's clan or tribe. In their religious and healing ceremonies, the Iroquois people would wear hand carved masks that they were famous for. (JohnPershing01)   

          http://www.indians.org/articles/iroquois-indians.html

          http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm   

                During the revolutionary war, the Iroquois made the desicion to side with the British. This ended badly in 1779 when the "Americans" invaded the territory and forced them to migrate to Southern Canada. The Iroquois shared a relatively common language though it was not always the same in different areas. Iroquois villages were often fortified and permanent, and they were only moved in cases of overfarming or defense. Corn, beans, and squash were staples of the Iroquois diet. Iroqoius have also been found to engage in torture and rituals that include cannibalism. Iroquois clothing was generally made of the hides and skins of hunted animals. Iroquois religion says that everything in the world was composed of spirits. There were good spirits that protected the Iroquois and were meant to be thanked. However, there were also evil spirits that caused illness and everything bad. There was a "False Face Society" that would create their own masks that were used to ward off these evil spirits. The Iroquois were some of the first Native Americans to use snowshoes for travel and in ceremonies. (JamesOglethorpe01)

          http://library.thinkquest.org/J003353/iroq_culture.htm

          http://www.tolatsga.org/iro.html

          http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports1/iroquois2.htm

 

(DanielShays01) The Iroquois were a very strong nation.  Although they never really settled down and claimed one piece of land, they explored many other areas which made them supreme over all of the other tribes in Pennsylvania.  Another reason they are so strong is because the Dutch began to sell firearms to the Iroquois.  They are very strong believers in love one another.  tarachiawago, or "Holder Of The Heavens" loved everyone and wanted everybody to love each other.(danielshays01)http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/environmental_center/sunbury/website/HistoryofIroquoisIndians.shtml

 

(JamesMadison)  Haudenosaunee children often learned their education from listening, observing, of working side by side with community members. A girl might learn quill from her mother, grandmother, aunt, or older sister. She would first clean and sort the quills but then be able to make speacial moccasins. A boy would learn how to make a fishing net or a snowsnake. They both would learn how to collect medicine so they can finda place in the community when they grow up. Just like today, they had learned from their mistakes while tring to learn a master job.http://www.iroquoismuseum.org/ve4.html   

 

 

 

(danielSHays01)- Above is an Iraquois Indian singing and dancing.  This is a farely new photograph but not much of the culture has changed since the Pre-Columbian time.  Singing and dancing is still a HUGE past time in their culture.http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/94654/Iroquois-man-in-traditional-regalia-near-a-reconstructed-longhouse

 

• Mound Builders- The Mound Builders were a range of different tribes and civilizations ranging in location from the Ohio valley all the way down to Mississsippi, with mounds dispersed in between. However, the Ohio and Mississippi valleys had the greatest concentration of the mounds. The mounds had varying purposes, known as well as unknown. Some of the mysterious man-made hills were used for burial sites for the wealthy as well as the common while others were built for religious ceremonies or to honor a particular diety. Others still were used for political purposes or to honor a cheif. Some of the more advanced and intricate mounds were built in the shapes of animals. Many others have no apparent meaning at all. The mound builders themselves were usually small settlements of hunter gathers who enjoyed varying levels of plant and animal domestication. However, a defined and strong civilization arose around 1050AD in modern day Cahokia, Illinois, complete with its own ruling authority and agricultural system, which meant that there was surplus enough to fuel laborers for monument making (mounds). By 1400AD the settlement was largely dispersed and had fallen but its remains are still visible today. (JohnPershing01) 

         http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0834239.html

         http://www.ehow.com/about_4567430_moundbuilder-indians.html

         http://publications.newberry.org/indiansofthemidwest/people-places-time/eras/moundbuilders/ 

               In addition to the uses listed above the once mysterious mounds were also used for religious ceremonies and temples. Some of these mounds are up to 100 feet tall and 975 feet long. Trade systems and routes were common to the mound builders, and this led to a shared sense of religious beliefs but strangly not unity. Cheifdoms usually governed over villages. This elite higher class was hereditary and managed everything in its village. The mound builders eventually reached their demise due to the countless diseases that settlers brought with them from Europe. (JamesOglethorpe01)

          http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/MoundBui

          http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/mounds/builders.htm

 

(JamesMadison)  The Adena tribe used mounds for their burial sites. They would find an open space to build a small house calledthe burial house and would place the body on a bed of bark strips. Then they would place jewelry, beads, and other things to help the dead enjoy life after death. Finally, they would burn the house down to the ground. after doing this many, many times the burial mound would grow taller over the years. http://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/cunniff/americanhistorycentral/01firstamericans/The_Moundbuild.html

 

(danielshays01)- above is a picture of an  area constructed by the Mound Builders that could be used for many activities.  Some of these activities include religous ceremonies, gatherings, and tons more! I find this extremely interesting and would love to see what it was like back when it was used for such events.(Danielshays01)http://federationmsta.org/mound.html

 

 

Subdivision of Pre-Colombian Native American History (williammckinley01)

                The History of the Native Americans, traced back from when people crossed the Bering Land Bridge about 14,000 years ago can be split into three main periods, Paleo-Indian, archaic, and formative, according to the development and ways of life that were displayed during each of the periods. These periods explain how the native people came to live the way they did when they were first contacted by the Europeans. While they may not have been as advanced as the Europeans their culture and way of life did change throughout the thousands of years that they inhabited the Americas before Europeans made contact. (williammckinley01)

1.                 The Paleo-Indian Period- Pinpointing the exact time that this period began is very complex. Many scientists disagreed with dates given for the beginning of the period. Some say it began approximately 13,000 years ago while some date it back to even earlier.   Nevertheless, archeologists agree that the end date for this period was the time that the Ice Age ended.  The people of this time engaged in nomadic hunting in large groups over animals such as mammoths and large animals such as that. These people did not settle down in one place as the harsh cold elements made it hard for them to do so therefore they were restricted to remain in relatively the same area even though they were a nomadic people. (williammckinley01)
2.                 The Archaic Period- This particular period has been dated from about 10,000 years ago to roughly 5,000 years ago. Due to the fact that this period began when the Ice Age ended the environment around the native people changed and hence their way of life changes. The environment became more hospitable and the flora and fauna changed and allowing the people to not only changed their diet but also where they lived. Because they became knowledgeable on how to cultivate the vegetables and fruit they were not limited to a certain area and were able to spread out. In addition, the new environments and the spreading out of the native people created new, varying, and diverse cultures, languages, and societies. The societies before Ice Age leaned more toward an egalitarian way of living. However, during this period the societies became more complex with leaders emerging for each society. Furthermore, the people began to make the shift from nomadic to more settled livings in this era. They also began creating and utilizing more advanced techniques and practices including pottery and trades. Although some scientists say that some people remained in this lifestyle even until less than 100 years ago. (williammckinley01)
3.                 The Formative Period- During this final period the way of living for these native people became even more complex. Stretching from around 3,000-5,000 years ago native societies blossomed, long time agriculture kicked off into full swing and the settling of native people grew from smaller villages and towns to cities with up to even 10,000 inhabitants. In addition, the political society became even more intricate as the leaders of these cities were basically raised to an even higher societal podium. They were given their own place to live and in some cases such as the Cahoika people, they were worshiped like gods. Some leaders in societies were even given homes raised architecturally above the rest of the citizens on top of what were basically constructed mountains. (williammckinley01)

 

JohnPershing01:

             

   Anasazi Petroglyphs                                          Pueblo Houses                                                             Traditional Iroquois Mask                  Mound in shape of a snake

 

 

(http://footage.shutterstock.com/clip-251959-stock-footage-smooth-pan-across-the-wall-full-of-petroglyphs-primitive-rock-art-called-newspaper-rock-in-utah.html)

(http://ed101.bu.edu/StudentDoc/current/ED101fa10/cmmac/Pueblo.html) 

(http://web1.beverlyhg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/Faculty/History/LIAKOPOULOS/How%20The%20West%20Was%20Won/what_rituals_did_the_iroquois_fo.htm)

(http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-88204/The-effigy-mound-called-Serpent-Mound-was-built-by-Native)

<mauricesendak01>

 A Cheyenne teepee [click for source]

Cheyenne warriors on horseback [click for source]

JamesOlgethorpe01:

 Anasazi ruins in Chaco Canyon http://blog.lib.umn.edu/victor/hereandthere/2008/08/sacred-ruins.html

A more modern day "travois" http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/travois.html

A drawing of an Iroquois longhouse http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/constructionone.html

 

  The Grave Creek Mound has been converted a mordern day museum http://www.wvculture.org/history/mounds.html

 

(JamesMadison01)

 

                                           

Pueblo Kachina toys                                                                       Anasazi shirt                                   An Haudenosaunee girl learns how to weave a basket    Adena burial mound

                                                                                                                                                          from her mom           

 

http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-136496/Kachina-dolls-are-made-by-the-Hopi-people

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/tips/indianartifacts.html  

http://abagond.wordpress.com/page/23/?pages-list  

http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-90699/The-largest-burial-mound-of-the-Adena-culture-can-be  

 

Josephpulitzer01:

1     2 

Moundbuilders hoe                                                Iroquois League flag (Tuscarora joined

                                                                                                             later in 1722)

(1)http://clio.missouristate.edu/lburt/Resources121/MoundBuilders_2.htm

(2)http://www.great-lakes.net/teach/history/native/native_4.html

 

(danielshays01)The native civilizations of America in Pre Columbian time were very far behind in technology. This was a very big disadvantage for the Natives. This meant that there farming, hunting, and more were far more behind the Spaniards. This did not stop them though. The native civilizations such as the Anasazi, Pueblos, Mound Builders, and the Iroquois, were exceptional farmers and hunters. The knowledge that they had for such ways of life may not have been very advanced, but they worked extremely well.(danielshays01    http://historymech.bravehost.com/rewpcamer.html

 

 

Analysis:  (Theodoreroethke01)

     Despite the title of our book being 'Lies My Teacher Told Me', a worthy observation is the juxtaposition of the usage of the textbook and the title of Loewen's book. Within the  very first page of the chapter, Loewen ironically states that textbooks favor the white man, and his 'white eyes'. Ironic, simply because the author of the book is clearly Caucasian, and my impression of it is that he believes he's telling his readers something new and controversial, which is not true, at least in this particular section of the book. So, I'd start off by stating that the main theme of this chapter, 'Red Eyes', is sensationalism through contradiction. A great majority of his time in this chapter was spent giving examples of people agreeing with his point of view. The main idea that the white man has biased much of this aspect of the history of the North American Native Americans, is not anything that has not been said before, and crying the same old tear is something that draws a parallel to the very essence of the textbook: telling history as it appears in the present. At the time that the textbook was written, and the information dictated some hundreds of years ago, the mindset of those dictating it was biased, just the same way Loewen's book is. Another similarity that can be seen is the way that Loewen states that the facts which are widely taught are force-feeding us racist ideas about the way Native Americans behaved and the way the almighty Europeans behaved upon contact with these aliens. In our textbook, the editors do not hold the Europeans in such a high esteem, 'Unlike the Europeans, who would soon arrive with the presumption that humans had dominion over the earth...'. But, just because the textbook does not glorify the Europeans, it does not lionize the Native Americans; 'They revered the physical world and endowed nature with spiritual properties. Yet they did sometimes ignite massive forest fires, deliberately torching thousands of acres of trees...' (p. 10, American Pageant). The juxtaposition of the 'humble' representation of the Europeans and subsequent depiction of the villainous Natives who defecated on the environment.

     To bring this analysis full circle, and make sense of the theme previously stated, Loewen often cites passages from many notable historians and authors and, in some cases, antiquated newspapers to make his perspective appear more feasible. For example, he cites the African World Press saying that after thirteen Spaniards were killed by Natives who were defending their town. The media said that they were killed 'because of fierce and implacable Indian resistance'. This is a prime example of how Loewen uses the media sarcastically to exploit the bigotry that we, as citizens of a developed nation and those responsible for much of the aforementioned bigotry, have come to expect. -Theodoreroethke01

     The textbook only mentions Cheyenne Indians once or twice in passing, so it can not be said if the textbook specifically agrees or disagrees with my research. It does however offer a general picture of Native Americans. The Cheyenne fit this picture in that they live in simple non-permanent villages because they were nomadic. They also fit in with the general rule of men hunting and the women working at home, though not perfectly, as the women could also take part in the buffalo  hunts. Another of the textbooks generalizations that semi-contradicts with my research is that Native Americans caused little impact on nature. This is true in the sense that they were nomadic, and thus didn't have permanent residences and farms, but untrue in the sense that once they acquired horses, the Cheyenne were able to hunt buffalo very efficiently, contributing to the animal's near-extinction. The fact that Cheyenne Indians are hardly mentioned is something to note entirely. As Loewen pointed out, textbooks don't usually devote much space to Native Americans. According to Loewen, this is possibly a result of Euro-centrism leading people to believe that Native Americans are not (as) important. <mauricesendak01>

      My research found that the Pueblo people had a quite interesting social life that included legends, religion, and designated meeting places. Our textbook, however, says that Pueblo social life was hardly developed, and that societies scarcely existed (p. 8, American Pageant). My research does agree with the textbook on the subject of Mound Builders and Anasazi, though it only mentions that they managed to sustain large populations by beginning to grow corn. However, the textbook creates a tone that leads the reader to believe that these Native Americans struggled to survive when they actually thrived for a long number of years. Our textbook states that the Iroquois people were one of the stongest Native American alliances, and they frightened both other tribes and Europeans alike. My research does show that they were a large impact on the colonists. I am disappointed that our textbook devotes so little pages to these civilizations considering how long they were living in the Americas and their substantial impact on Europeans. I do believe that our textbook does put enough weight into the scale of spread of lethal disease (p. 15,The American Pageant). The American Pageant does fall trap to Loewen's observation that textbooks portray Native Americans as uncivilized imbeciles unsuperior to European culture. Our textbook does not mention hardly anything about complex Native American civilization or culture. Our textbook also gives off the idea that the Europeans were heroes that "subdued" the Native Americans when they were actually generally friendly to these foreign colonists (p.8, The American Pageant).The textbook also mentions nothing of Iroquois ideas being influential to Congress, or even that they are in the symbol of the new United States (Eagle and arrows are both in this symbol and are symbols of the Iroquois League).-JamesOglethorpe01 

Critical Thinking:

     Before reading Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen, I was oblivious to the fact that history is not something that everyone agrees on. In school, history is taught like science; it is just accepted, not open for discussion or ever prone to error or bias.In reality however, it is a subject of an on going debate that will probably never be fully understood. I always thought that a textbook used by hundreds schools around the country could be trusted to deliver the truth in an untainted manner. But, as Loewen's book shows us, it could not. Finding that unadultered truth however, is apparently almost impossible to find, for two glaring reasons. Firstly, historians have one of the hardest jobs ever beacuse they have to interpret various sources to discern what happened all of those years ago. That in itself can lead to many different versions of supposedly the same event. The second reason for miscommunication is bias. Whether it is pressure from a publisher or simply personal views, bias can drastically effect history, even in liberal books such as Lies My Teacher Told Me. For now on I will be sure to take a closer look at history from all perspectives, not just the one presented. (JohnPershing01)     

     Lies My Teacher Told Me has opened my eyes to the fact that textbooks tell us only what they want us to believe. They never actually lie, but they limit the reader to their opinion on American history. However, I do not believe that it would be right for textbooks across the country to make America look bad. That is why it is my responsibility as a reader to examine other sources and eliminate the biased information from the unbiased information. By just reading the textbooks point of view you become just another student drinking the patriotic KoolAid. Not only is it my job as a reader to examine different sides of issues presented in your textbook, but I should also look at issues and events that the textbook leaves out completely. That is why this year I will make it my job to seperate the facts from opinion, examine more than one source, and look at issues "outside the box."-JamesOglethorpe01

     Lies My Teacher Told Me has helped me to approach history with questions instead of blind acceptance. I was unaware of the fact that historical facts are not 100 percent certain, and that what is taught may not necessarily be correct. I have also learned to take note of the word choices that textbooks employ, such as claiming that America was "settled" by Europeans in the sixteenth or seventeenth century despite the fact that it had already been settled by Native Americans long before then. I am also now aware that textbook authors may leave out negative details in an attempt to give us heroes. My new-found skepticism will lead me to ask more questions, and therefore learn more. I also now know that history is more interesting than I had thought, as now I am aware that it is not simply rote memorization. The truth must be deduced from evidence, and as such it is often uncertain and open to questions, which is much more interesting. <mauricesendak01>  

     Contrary to what many other people felt, Lies My Teacher Told Me did not provide me with any cathartic change of mindset regarding history or the teaching of history. While much of the information was not particularly new, per say, it was refreshing to know that someone took the time to expose the ridiculous propaganda that is much of the formalized education in America. The bias 'uncovered' in this book was an invigorating change of pace, and the somewhat neutral presentation that was provided was an added bonus. I concur with my colleagues that America should not be completely degraded for all of it's shortcomings and transgressions in history, for every nation has it's regrets, but the caking on of selective truths and finger pointing is nevertheless, ridiculous. I'm not suggesting that we don't indulge in nationalism, but I certainly don't think we should try and shove the past under a rug; there are holocaust remembrance memorials in Germany, too. -Theodoreroethke01 

     (DANIELSHAYS01)Before i read Lies My Teacher Told Me, like most other students, I beleived that how it is portrayed in the history books is how it actually occured.  We as students never really thought that the book was bias and would make us learn what they had chosen us to learn. From now on I will ALWAYS check what the information i read says against other sources. I find it very funny how the text book can tell a part of the truth, but then blow the other parts way out of proportion and word things to say what they want. I really liked how Lowen showed us faulty information in the text books and how he exposed them.  I always thought that the information in textbooks was nothing but the whole truth, obviously by reading Lies My Teacher Told Me, I am wrong!(danielShays01)

    Josephpulitzer01 Lies my teacher told me did introduce a lot of little factoids to me but over all my understanding of history remains the same. I always have seen the feel-good side of textbooks and have tried to get away from it bye doing research of my own. I do agree, however, with Loewen's argument that text are, in fact, bias, melodramatic, heroistic, and omit most of the actual history. I did like the way the 6th grade teacher handled the students that were blinded by textbooks and it just goes to show the way that texbooks are a source of confusion and misleading information.  

     (williammckinley01) The author of Lies My Teacher Told Me, James W. Loewn, discusses how it is not just a teacher’s fault for the inaccurate information that is given out to students. He makes it very clear that the myths and misunderstandings about many historical facts. Not only does he not point out the fact that we as students can be given poor information but he also points out reasons why this happens, and why most students, in turn, find history subjects to be dull and boring. School textbooks and other educational sources have requirements from publishing companies and school boards and in order to meet those requirements pages are cut down in length, certain things have to be put in the book at the expense of cutting other information out. All of these numerous requirements cut the information down to where not many people can be left interested in what is presented to them.

                Additionally, in the first chapter, Loewen discusses how history, although it is purely fact, the facts can be misconstrued by some. For example, many of us feel that Christopher Columbus and many like him are extended to a higher pedestal because that is how the textbooks would have us perceive them. But consequently, it then in turn plays down the lives of Native Americans, African Americans, and even Abraham Lincoln because they somewhat were controversial and even some historical figures in a way questioned white conservative rule.

                In conclusion, all of these examples only prove to the reader that one source will not give you the best, most accurate information. One textbook does not have the 100% verified fact. If a student wants to be accurate and precise with their information they must use multiple sources. By doing so, they have a greater chance of finding the unbiased and untainted truth.

     (JamesMadison01) Lies My Teacher Told Me has taught me that textbooks will always have the other truth. the only way that we can find the real truth is to look for it. These writers choose what they want to put in their books. They put the same information, in every textbook, just to keep them the same. These books keep getting bigger and bigger and that loses the attention span on young readers. This book taught me to look for the truth and do not always beleive it just because it is in a textbook that every high school student will read.