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"The Devil in Silicon Valley"--A Review, 2007.
A review of Stephen J. Pitti's "The Devil in Silicon Valley: Northern California, Race, and Mexican Americans ."
827 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
This book review shows how Stephen J. Pitti's work attempts to address a historical gap in the academic and popular literature of the history of California. His work, "The Devil in Silicon Valley: Northern California, Race, and Mexican Americans," focuses on the economic contributions of Native-Americans, Mexicans and non-white labor in the economic prosperity of California. Although the reviewer states that Pitti's work is grounded in substantial historical documentation, one weakness of the book is perhaps the simplicity of its thesis--that racism justified the subjugation and use of Hispanic and Indian labor.
From the Paper
"These non-Anglos enjoyed little financial rewards for the gains they won for the state's Caucasian settlers. The discrepancy of the fortune of whites and non-whites traces back to the earliest missionaries. Then, "the friars undoubtedly resorted to more [and more] brutal tactics to ensure that non-Christians entered their Christian community" of the day (15). Indos, the native people, were viewed as inferior even after they were converts. As white settlements grew more populous in the 1840s, scientific and anthropological justifications of white supremacy took hold. The mixed race Californios were "indolent" and forced the Indian "savages" to work rather than work themselves, and thus were not worthy of the land on which they lived (26)."
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Native-American Dropouts from High School, 2007.
This paper studies the high dropout rates among Native-American high school students.
1,957 words (approx. 7.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 62.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at research regarding Native-American dropouts from high school. The writer notes that the problems that arose in the process of locating young Native-Americans who had dropped out of school, helped the researchers come to terms with the kind of poverty and depressing environments in which these people lived. The writer concludes that as a nation, America took most of the Indian's lands away from them, placed them on reservations, and now the U.S. allows giant corporations to profit by exploiting and polluting the land the Indians count on for their survival. The writer maintains that this should be a topic in all high schools, especially Native-American high schools.
From the Paper
"In autumn, 1980, high dropout rates among Native-American students in a Montana high school district were so out of proportion with other school districts' dropout rates that a study was needed in order to come to grips with the problem. According to an article in the Journal of American Indian Education, about 60 percent of Native Americans were dropping out before finishing their high school careers. And 90 percent of the students were of Native-American ethnicity."
"In order to conduct what the district believed would be an "empirical" study of the problem, the district partnered with the University of Montana, which set up the research. The method used was to carefully examine the problem, develop instruments for the analysis, develop good techniques for interviewing, reach out to the dropouts and carefully assess the data resulting from the project."
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The Americas Before Columbus, 2007.
An analysis of the book "1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus" by Charles Mann.
838 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
The paper reviews and discusses the book, "1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus", by Charles Mann. The paper explains that the book reveals how the "New World" for the Europeans was not new at all. The paper relates Mann's revelation that archaeologists and anthropologists have verified that at least 100 million people lived in the Americas before Columbus arrived. The paper relates that Mann explores findings in three specific areas: Indian demography (Part I), Indian origins (Part II) and Indian ecology (Part III).
From the Paper
"The most interesting aspect about 1491 is that Mann compiles information from a large number of reputable sources, which has never been done before. Many anthropologists and archaeologists have written studies on the topics contained in the book, but they remained in academia and not for the layman. Mann not only assembles many of these scientific findings (he apologizes that it would be impossible to cover everything written), but writes about them in an understandable and appealing fashion. At times, he gets the readers muddled with too much technical information and names of tribes, but most often it is just an interesting read."
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"A Spirited Resistance", 2007.
This paper analyzes "A Spirited Resistance. The North American Indian Struggle for Unity 1745-1815," by Gregory Evans Dowd.
1,193 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how Gregory Evans Dowd recounts the struggle for resistance of a few American Indian tribes against the British-American expansion. The paper is of the opinion that Dowd gives a unique and very interesting interpretation of the events taking place during the mid- eighteenth century. The paper portrays how Dowd tried to reconstruct the British colonization from the point of view of the Native Americans, by focusing on their perception of the Anglo-American invasion.
From the Paper
"The "Indians' Great Awakening" presents the resistance of the Native Americans to the British colonization, and observes the double character of this movement: it is both a spiritual and a political resistance, or in other words, the political resistance is backed up by a spiritual regeneration of the Indians, who rediscover their traditional religions and rituals in their effort to preserve their identity in front of the colonists."
"Moreover, the nativistic movement has yet another character apart from the spiritual and the political ones, according to Dowd. The sudden awakening of the Indians is not a mere spiritual revival, but a finding of a sense of unity as a people."
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"The Heartland Chronicles", 2007.
This paper analyzes the book "The Heartland Chronicles" by Douglas E. Foley.
1,232 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
The paper focuses on the irony of the Native-American gaming industry the author discusses in his book. The paper discusses how today the Native-Americans are capitalizing on the white's propensity for gaming and greed while for centuries, whites have capitalized on the Native-Americans, taking their land, relocating them and altering their lives. However, the paper reveals that the cultural differences between whites and Native-Americans are just as strong today as they ever have been. The paper illustrates how the author chronicles the story of his hometown, Tama, Iowa and how he demonstrates the many subtle and not-so-subtle issues of racism throughout the book. The paper concludes that the "The Heartland Chronicles" shows how differences between races are exceedingly difficult to eradicate.
From the Paper
"Throughout this book, the anthropologist author chronicles the story of his hometown, Tama, Iowa. It would seem that would tell a bucolic story of moms, apple pie, farms, and Midwestern American values. However, the author shows those stereotypes belong in Hollywood, rather than Iowa. In actuality, the "town" people are distrustful and afraid of the Native Americans and their settlement outside of town. They make up shocking stories about things that happen on the reservation, and maintain that the Indians are only good for violence, drinking, and terrorizing whites."
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The Rise of the Aztec Society, 2006.
A look at the history of the Aztecs.
2,157 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 7 sources, APA, $ 67.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews and discusses the history of the Aztecs and the development of the Aztec society. According to the paper, the Aztecs were not the first great civilization that inhabited the region of today's Mexico, but settled after many former cultures had passed and left their influence hundreds of years before the empire was built. The paper reports that like other cultures, the Aztecs started as a small group of people that managed to achieve power and riches through hard work and a vision of the future.
From the Paper
"The lowest stage of society was a kind of peasant that was not allowed to have properties, was bound to the land of the nearby nobles and had the task of working it, in exchange for a portion of the harvest. A lower stage were the slaves, less in number and that achieved such condition only if they were war prisoners, had debts or committed crimes. A slave was similar to a paid servant. The children of the poor people could be sold as slaves, but it was usually for a determined period of time. The slaves had the right to buy their freedom."
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Native American Influence on American English, 2007.
An analysis of the history of certain American English words that have their roots in Native-American languages.
2,938 words (approx. 11.8 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 86.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the influence of Native-American languages on American English. It begins by discussing the variety, origin and roots of Native-American languages. It then discusses early contact between settlers and Native-Americans and the evidence that has been found to suggest that American English was influenced by this contact, particularly the names of places names that were named after the tribes that occupied the location.
Table of Contents:
The Lumbee
What Does this Mean for Native American Words in American English?
From the Paper
"In conclusion, tribal languages are typically spoken only in places where tribal members are isolated. However, it is doubtful if there are any areas left where the tribal language is spoken exclusively. Typically the tribal language exists alongside English. As the number of native speakers diminishes, so does the usage of that language until it is eventually extinguished. This has been the fate of many native languages. The remnants that remain in American English are testimony to their existence. In some cases they are one of the last remaining references to their existence. The study of native American words in the English language gives us a glimpse into many ancient languages that are long forgotten and can give us clues to the cultures of these people as well. The study of Native language remnants is a testimony to the tribes and peoples that once represented the dominant culture in North America."
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Black Elk's Religion, 2006.
A look at the life of Native American, Black Elk, and his strong Christian beliefs.
1,190 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at the life and beliefs of Black Elk, member of the Oglala Sioux nation. According to the paper, Black Elk had many visions, the first of which he experienced at age nine. The paper goes on to discuss how Black Elk provided leadership in the acceptance of Christianity for a peaceful coexistence with the dominant society, while at the same time remaining a Lakota traditionalist at heart.
From the Paper
"Black Elk shared his vision with the entire tribe, which then carefully enacted each detail (Wink 2000). They gathered sixteen horses: four black horses which represented the west, four white horses for the north, four sorrels for the east, and four buckskins for the south, and all with riders painted accordingly (Wink 2000). Then they began dancing, wheeling from one quadrant of the sacred circle to the next, drawing everyone into the circle until all were within the center (Wink 2000). A stick was planted in the earth that would flower as a sign of life and hope for the Sioux tribe (Wink 2000)."
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Christian Conversion in Mexico and Brazil, 2007.
A description of the Spanish and Portuguese attempts to convert native peoples to Christianity during their conquests of Brazil and Mexico.
2,274 words (approx. 9.1 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 70.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the impact of Spanish and Portuguese colonization on Mesoamerican culture, with an emphasis on conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity. The author describes the native religion and lifestyle prior to the Europeans' arrival, and the subsequent results of conversion to Christianity, both positive and negative. Also described is the treatment toward the native peoples by the Europeans. The paper is divided into two sections, one describing the Spanish invasion and the other the Portuguese conquest of Brazil. The author concludes that the effort by Portuguese Christians to convert native Brazilians - by force or otherwise - to Christianity was far less successful than tactics used by Spaniards in Mexico.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
The arrival of the Spaniards into Mesoamerican Mexico
Things did not go well for the Spaniards in 1680s and 1690s
Jesuit priest Father Tomas Miranda raged at the cruel treatment of the Seri
Portugal and the Colonization of Brazil
Works Cited
From the Paper
"And because the Roman Catholic leadership in Spain saw the natives as part of a prophecy, a gift from Lord to enrich their Spanish culture, the Franciscan missionaries, the first priests in Mexico, used "indoctrination" as a term rather than "evangelization." The Spaniards reportedly believed that since God had placed these Native Americans on Mexican soil for the enhancement of Spanish culture and religion, that the natives merely needed the facts of Christianity (Roman Catholicism), not the full litany of evangelization. The Spaniards were wrong, of course, and they found themselves in the midst of a myriad of troubling situations they could not possibly have predicted."
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Mesoamerica, 2006.
A look at Mesoamerica, which includes the central area of Mexico, Central America, down to Guatemala and Honduras.
2,730 words (approx. 10.9 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 81.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at the history of Mesoamerica. According to the paper, archaeological evidence showing signs of human habitation north of the Valley of Mexico indicates that the history of Mexico can be extended back at least 20,000 years. The paper looks at the development of the different civilizations that inhabited this region and era and discusses their art.
From the Paper
"Much of the art of the region shows similar concerns and similar designs. The ancient mythic cultures of the Olmec, the Mayan, and the Aztecs, along with frescoes from different periods in Mexican history, show images of plumed coyotes, men with the shells of turtles, dogs wearing human masks, jaguars in scarves, arum flowers with pistils that are tiny men, geometrically shaped gods with large noses, and so on. Many of these have become iconic image and have been emulated by others in later periods."
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