History of Quebec and Canada/Study Guide/Topic 2: Mutual Influences

How did the Europeans and the Natives mutually influence one another?

The meeting of two civilizations always involves an exchange of ideas, objects and ways of doing things that are later adapted to the tastes and needs of each culture. However, it was the Native way of life that underwent the most change, resulting in a breakdown of their society. The Europeans They adopted Native customs and were taught how to survive in the North American wilderness.They learned how to make warm winter clothing from furs and moccasins from leather; how to use canoes, snowshoes, and toboggans to travel; how to preserve food and how to use plants for medicinal purposes. They learned of new foods such as corn, pumpkins, and maple syrup.

The Native Indians

Positive Influences

They learned of new foods such as bread, peas, and salt. They were introduced to woolen cloth and blankets. They were introduced to iron tools and weapons and became increasingly dependent on them.

Negative Influences The use of alcohol, unknown to the Natives before the arrival of the Europeans, had disastrous repercussions on Native society. The introduction of European diseases (smallpox, measles, influenza) killed thousands of Native people. The fur trade conditioned European-Indian relations along antagonistic lines and changed the Native way of life. Religious orders, such as the Jesuits, tried to impose Christianity on the Native populations. Do the following questions on Topic 2: Mutual Influences

1. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBES HOW AMERINDIAN LIFE WAS AFFECTED BY THE ARRIVAL OF THE EUROPEANS? A) There was greater unity between the different Amerindian tribes. B) The Amerindians became dependent on European goods. C) Amerindian traditions were preserved and continued to develop. D) The Amerindians adopted a sedentary way of life. ANSWER: A B C D

2. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SHOW THE INFLUENCE OF EUROPEAN CULTURAL PRACTICES ON THE AMERINDIAN WAY OF LIFE DURING THE 17TH CENTURY?

1. the establishment of Christianity by the missionaries 2. the regular use of tobacco in ceremonies 3. the use of iron and metal in tools 4. the adoption of light means of transportation suited to the climate 5. the affiramtion of maternal authority within the family structure

A) 1    and     3

B) 2    and     4 C) 2     and     5 D) 3    and     5 ANSWER: A B C D

3. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES OF AMERINDIAN INFLUENCE ON EUROPEANS?

1.alcohol

2.birch-bark canoes 3.moccasins

4.snowshoes 5.salt 6. firearms

A) 1, 2, and 3 C) 2, 3, and 4 B) 1, 2, and 5 D) 3, 4, and 5

ANSWER: A B C D

4. WHICH TWO STATEMENTS BELOW DESCRIBE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FRENCH INFLUENCE ON AMERINDIAN LIFE ?

1.   The Amerindians used iron pots and utensils for cooking. 2.   The abuse of alcohol by Amerindians led to grave social problems. 3.   The Algonquian and Iroquoian tribes joined forces to fight the French. 4.   The Amerindian population suffered from new diseases. 5.   The coureurs des bois adopted an Amerindian way of life.

A) 1    and     2

B) 2    and     4 C) 3     and     4 D) 3    and     5

ANSWER: A B C D

Go On To Unit 3: The Fur Trade