EXPLORATION INTO NORTH AMERICA - Tapa dura

One of a series which describes the cultural history of continents or regions before and after their exploration, this book is about the Native Americans and their traditions, as well as the explorers who opened up America to European settlers. The text describes the climate and the migration of the early peoples - the Iroquoian-speaking Cherokee, Chickasaw and Tuscarora who settled around the lakes in the North-east, the Powhatan and Chatawba on the coast, the Creek, Natchez and Choctaw towards the South and the Seminole in what is now called Florida. The larger nations of this area were the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw and Seminole who became known by the European settlers as the Five Civilized tribes. The Indians who lived in the Great Plains were hunters and farmers although the Crow, Blackfoot, Arapahoe, Cheyenne and Comanche were nomadic. In the east there were semi-nomadic nations such as the Sioux, Omaha and Missouri who lived in permanent villages between the hunts. Each nation had their own identity but seemed to share the same religious beliefs. When Europeans arrived in the 15th century they brought horses with them. This eventually changed the way of life. To the South-west were the Zuni and Hopi nations who are well-known for their architectural and artistic skills. The Navajo nations were originally nomads but settled to farm land and raise sheep whereas the Apache continued to be Nomadic. The Apache were a fearsome nation skilled in warfare and produced many great Native American leaders. The book goes on to describe the European exploration which began in ernest in the late 15th century with Columbus, John Cabot, Hernando de Soto, Francisco de Coronado, John Cartier, Sir Walter Raleigh, Champlian, the Pilgrim Fathers and Jean Nicolet. Further to this are chapters on the exploration of the Mississippi, the European rivalries, the defeat of France, the War of Independence, the fight for land and the last stand. The Native American's old way of life cannot be brought back, but this book shows how the future for them is better than it was. With a strong voice in today's society, their traditions and customs are respected and the pride in their achievements is tremendous.