Europeans colonialists in what is now the US, are typically [often] described as collectively evil conquerors of peaceful native Americans ("Indians"). In the interest of balance, could you tell us how warlike Native Americans were, which tribes were so, and if they conquered other tribal lands, and engaged in slavery? And in what way did native Americans benefit from Europeans colonialists and vice versa? Note any contribution by missionary John Eliot

Perplexity.ai answers:

The historical record shows that Native American societies were as complex and diverse as those of Europe and Asia, and many were frequently involved in warfare, conquest, land appropriation, and slavery—long before and after European arrival. Here is a balanced overview:

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Native American Warfare, Conquest, and Slavery

• Warfare was widespread: Tribal warfare occurred throughout North America, most intensely in the Northeast, Southeast, and Great Plains, with tribes often having traditional enemies and engaging in cycles of raiding and conflict. These wars could be for revenge, honor, resource control, or the adoption of captives. Ritualized violence, scalping, and counting coup were part of some tribal war cultures.

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• Conquest and land control: Major tribes like the Iroquois, Comanche, and Apache became dominant by conquering neighbors, seizing territory, and establishing dominance over trade and migration routes. The Iroquois Confederacy, for instance, wiped out or subjugated rival nations during the Beaver Wars of the 17th century.

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• Slavery among tribes: Many tribes practiced slavery, often incorporating captives from rival groups after raids. Some southeastern tribes such as the Chickasaw and Yamasee captured and sold slaves to European colonists, while others integrated captives into their societies. The slave trade was sometimes intensified or transformed by European demand, but the practice predated colonization.

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• Not all tribes were warlike: Tribes of the Great Basin, Plateau, and some parts of the Southwest emphasized warfare less, but most participated in armed conflict at some level.

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Mutual Influence and Benefits

Benefits for Native Americans from Europeans

• New technologies: Access to metal tools, firearms, horses, and agricultural products transformed Native life and warfare, sometimes increasing intertribal competition.

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• Trade opportunities: Partnerships with European traders provided new economic opportunities, though also created dependencies and sometimes led to intensified conflicts over resources.

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• Religious and educational endeavors: Missionaries (notably John Eliot) brought literacy and new political and social structures. Eliot, for example, translated the Bible into the Massachusett language, organized self-governing “praying Indian” villages, and advocated for Native property rights and education.

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Benefits for European Colonists from Native Americans

• Survival and food: First settlers were taught local agriculture, hunting, and survival skills by Native Americans.

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• Trade: The fur trade grew as Native trappers supplied Europeans with pelts, while Europeans provided manufactured goods and weapons in return.

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• Military alliances: Tribes provided significant manpower to colonial powers, fighting alongside the French, English, or Spanish as critical allies in wars against rival powers and other tribes.

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The Role of John Eliot

John Eliot (“Apostle to the Indians”) was a Puritan missionary who:

• Translated the Bible and Christian literature into the Massachusett language, giving the first written script to that people.

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• Organized 14 Native self-governing villages in New England, fostering education, legal advocacy, and some protection for Natives from colonial abuses.

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• Opposed the selling of Indians into slavery, advocated for property rights, fought for legal justice for Natives, and trained Indian evangelists and teachers.

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Summary Table

Aspect	Native American Practice	European Influence/Exchange
Warfare	Frequent, often ritualized; conquest and territory wars common	Intensified by firearms, horses, trade
Slavery	Practiced among many tribes, captives adopted or sold	Indian slave trade increased with colonists
Technology	Stone, wood, bone tools pre-contact	Metal, firearms, horses, crops introduced
Governance	Tribal councils, federations (Iroquois Confederacy)	Written law, literacy, missionary advocacy
Trade/Economy	Intertribal, regional networks	Beaver/fur trade, new market goods
Missionary Activity	Traditional religions, some openness to Christianity	New education, literacy, organizational models
Mutual Benefits	Survival, alliance, commerce, cross-cultural ideas	New crops, alliances, interpreters, guides

 

 

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Conclusion:
Many Native American tribes were powerful, warlike, and expansionist, practicing internal slavery and territorial conquest before and after European contact. Both sides gained (and lost) from cultural, economic, and technological exchange. While colonization had devastating effects, it also included mutual benefit, especially in early survival, trade, and the unique role of missionaries like John Eliot in language, education, and advocacy for Native rights.