Synopses & Reviews
Though they speak several different languages and organize themselves into many distinct tribes, the Native American peoples of the Southeast share a complex ancient culture and a tumultuous history. This volume examines and synthesizes their history through each of its integral phases: the complex and elaborate societies that emerged and flourished in the Pre-Columbian period; the triple curse of disease, economic dependency, and political instability brought by the European invasion; the role of Native Americans in the inter-colonial struggles for control of the region; the removal of the Five Civilized Tribes to Oklahoma; the challenges and adaptations of the post-removal period; and the creativity and persistence of those who remained in the Southeast.
Synopsis
Drawing on the very latest research in the fields of archeology, anthropology, and history, this volume examines and synthesizes the history of the Native American peoples of the Southeast. These groups share a complex ancient culture and a rich and tumultuous history. Long before the arrival of white settlers in the region, the Indians began to cultivate corn, beans, squash, and other crops. Agriculture enabled them to live in relatively permanent villages and support a large population. The European invasion radically disrupted this way of life but Native American southerners have displayed both remarkable adaptability and a determination to retain core aspects of their unique identity over more than 350 years of interaction with Euro-American civilization.