The Failed Path to Indian Civilization

Key Insight

The Indians of North America had only two avenues of salvation: war or civilization. War was no longer viable given the 'disproportion in resources' after the initial colonial period. Attempts by 'men of genius' to unite tribes against Europeans failed due to the weakness of tribes near whites and the 'childish unconcern with the future' of others, leaving some unable to act and others unwilling.

Civilization requires 'prolonged social endeavor in a particular place' and 'cultivation of the soil,' which hunters find distasteful due to their 'idle and adventurous life.' Efforts by Jesuits and Puritans to enlighten Indians without changing their 'vagabond mores' achieved no lasting result, as 'civilization was born in the hut and went to die in the woods.' The fundamental mistake was failing to persuade them to settle as farmers.

Indian pride proved as obstinate a barrier to civilization as indolence. They viewed labor as 'not only an evil but also a disgrace,' comparing farmers to 'oxen hitched to their plows' and seeing 'nothing but the labor of slaves' in European arts. While admiring white intelligence and power, they scorned the means. Hunting and warfare remained the only pursuits 'worthy of a man,' making them resistant to adopting an agrarian lifestyle and integrating into a society that offered only the 'lowest rank' to the ignorant and poor.