4. Clashes of Cultures: Native Americans and European Settlers on the East Coast

Many diverse Native American tribes inhabited the East Coast of what would later become the United States. They spoke different languages and engaged in varied activities, such as farming, hunting, and warfare. Some well-known tribes include the Seneca, Mohawk, Seminole, and Cherokee. These tribes had developed their unique cultures long before the arrival of European settlers, each with their own religious and spiritual beliefs, though many shared similar practices. Trade played a crucial role in the lives of the Native Americans on the East Coast, with different tribes engaging in extensive trade networks spanning the entire country. The first recorded encounters between Europeans and the native tribes of the East Coast occurred in the 1500s. French and Basque fishermen crossed the Atlantic Ocean in search of whales along the eastern shores of North America, establishing temporary camps and engaging in trade with the local Indians. The Europeans often employed Native Americans, creat...