There is one theory of “social Darwinism” that may account for the conquest of the Native Americans. According to this theory if two separately evolved cultures meet, one will prevail over another forcing cultural evolution. Social Darwinism is not always effective because different cultures mix and mingle everyday without one becoming dominant. When white-man met red-man however, it was the survival of the fittest.

He was instructed to have his people do specific actions and dances that will bring them luck. “Do not tell the white people about this. Jesus is now upon the earth. He appears like a cloud. The dead are alive again. I do not know when they will be here; maybe this fall or in the spring. When it comes time, there will be no sickness and everyone will be young again.” This quote from Wovoka’s The Messiah Letter shows how they not only adopted to the new religion, they added to it and kept it from the white-man.

Europeans had a much easier and stable few thousand years of cultural evolution. Instead of wandering in search of food, their ancestors stayed living comfortably in their hemisphere. As population rose, land became scarce and territories were fought over. Resulting from the competition, boundaries were set, and governments were made to control all who lived is the region. The competition also forced nations to develop new technology in order to compete in wars, trading, communication, transportation, and production of goods. When a baron continent was discovered over the Atlantic Ocean, Europeans flocked there for the opportunity to settle new territory. They brought with them brand new western technology as well as their competitive culture.

The Ghost Dances soon caused a great hardship for the Indians. In From the Deep Woods to Civilization, Charles Eastman describes his account of the events. “’My friend,’ Sword went on, ‘our reservation has been free from this new teaching until the last two weeks. Quite lately this ghost dance was introduced to us by Slow Bull and Kicking Bear by Rosebud’- a neighboring agency. ‘It has rapidly been gaining converts in many of the camps. This is what the council today was about. The agent say the Great Father at Washington wishes it stopped. I fear the people will not stop. I fear trouble kola.’” When the whites saw the Indians interpreting their religion, they grew angry and attacked. The result was the Battle of Wounded Knee, though it was more like manslaughter.

In the beginning of the Bible, it explains how the earth was believed to be created. First God created light, then the earth itself. When he saw that it was good, he made plants and animals to live in harmony. Finally, God created humans from dust, and put them in charge of the earth. This gives followers a false sense that we are above nature and not a part of it. It almost encourages believers to feel like we own the world.

Another difference between the settlers and the Native Americans was in their religious beliefs. Religion has the power to control the morals and ambitions of very large masses of people. Throughout history differences in spiritual beliefs have caused many conflicts and wars. Christianity was the dominant religion amongst the American settlers. It follows the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible. Though the golden rule in this r

Some topics in this essay:
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