Zinn:Chapter 1

In reading Zinn's writing I myself had difficulty finding what could be called his thesis. From my understanding someone's thesis should be found and stated close to the beginning of the piece. If I were to claim anything it would be that British, "Euro", way of thinking harmed and eliminated cultures other than their own. He states that "These traits did not stand out in Renaissance Europe, dominated as it was by the religion of popes, the government of kings, the frenzy for money that marked Western Civilization and its first messenger to the Americas, Christopher Columbus." Having heard much of this before I found reading his argument somewhat difficult but I think he presented it well to those who may only have the European/American view of Columbus being a great explorer/hero. The majority of his argument consisted of the Native view and showed just how Europeans smothered the Native Americans with their weapons and lust for gold and slaves. As for having a question about the argument I would ask, since it is a hot topic in the remnants of Native American culture, should they have taken advantage of the Europeans or fought back. At the time the Indians were simply doing what they knew to do in taking care of the new people. Not helping/trading with them didn’t cross the native’s minds. When the Europeans became forceful and brash is when the issues started. To fight or not to fight. Some Native Americans allowed, in some cases encouraging, the take over because they let the Euro greed take over and they too began to want riches and things. Those who wanted to fight did so but without total support they didn’t stand a chance against the Europeans.

As for my response, it didn’t move me much in any direction. I felt like I gained more detailed information about the first contact events but other than the details it was information I knew.