Indian and Settler Relations Prior to 1640
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Objectives

1. Students will analysis and discuss the reasons why Indians in Virginia at the time of Jamestown had seemingly such inconsistent policies in relating to settlers.

2. Students will also be able to state the original English goals for dealing with Indians. (Christianize and blend the cultures.)

3. Student will also be able to answer the following questions:

In what ways did the English misjudge the Indian culture?

What happen led to the dramatic decrease in the Indian population in the first 20 years of Jamestown?

Relevance

These objectives show to students that the English had several incorrect assumptions about Indian culture. Also, students should see how these ideas led to future conflict for the two cultures.

Involvement of the Learner

Introduce the class to the English goal of Christianizing the Indians. Also, explain to students that English felt the Indians could become "civilized" members of English society. Ask the students what they feel to be civilized meant to a 15th Century Englishmen.

Explanation /Activity

After the involvement question has been discussed, then give the students the following notes:

English Preconceptions & Goals Establish a colony for raw materials, and to get a foothold in the New World. Indians were "noble savages" who could be accepted; in time, into English systems the way the ancient Britons were by the Romans. Indians had an advanced agarian system and could help with planting methods and labor.   Truth In Indian culture farming was the women’s duty and the Indians were primarily subsistence farmers and hunters. They had only enough for themselves. Indians were themselves really not concerned by the English, they had their own internal wars and problems to deal with. They also would occasionally both aid the settlers and attack them. Primarily due to the settlers actions and the situation. Remind students in 1607 the Indian population was estimated to be at 200,000 +. However, it declined dramatically within the following years, due to disease brought by the whites. Their population declined prior to the 1620's was not due to warfare.

Conclusion:

Through class discussion have students list their answers to these questions:

1. What presumptions about the Indians were correct? Which were wrong?
2. How could the Indians; if they had survived, have helped the English? How could they have hurt them?

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