Students examine some of the reasons for conflict between settlers and Native Americans. They learn how the relationship was complex and changed over time and by location. They identify a modern issue in order to address how different worldviews can cause conflict among groups.
Students read an introduction explaining that European colonists entered lands already inhabited by many Native American tribes and that their relationships were often conflict-filled. They examine a 1910 political cartoon titled “The crafty traders and the easy Indians” and post responses to a class wall explaining what they think the cartoon is trying to say.
Teacher MovesClarify that the cartoon reflects a stereotypical image of Native Americans as “simple” and easily fooled by European traders. Emphasize that Native Americans had rich, complex cultures with many languages, folklore, and environmental knowledge, and explain that conflict often stemmed from European misunderstandings rather than a lack of Native culture. Then organize students into small groups for upcoming scenes.
In small groups, students learn that the New World was already home to many Native American tribes and that contact with colonists affected both groups. They watch Alliance with Massasoit’s People and the First Thanksgiving: The Pilgrims and read about William Bradford and the First Thanksgiving to explore early relations between the Pilgrims and a local tribe, then answer a multiple-choice question describing that early relationship. Next, they read Colonial-Indian Relations and The Significance of 1492 to investigate how relationships between colonists and Native Americans brought both benefits and harms to each side. Each group discusses their findings and completes a shared table, adding one row for Colonists and one for Native Americans, listing at least one benefit and one harm for each group.
Teacher MovesSupport group discussions by prompting students to consider both positive and negative outcomes of contact, such as trade, alliances, disease, land loss, and forced movement. Use the sample benefits and harms provided to check group charts for completeness and accuracy, and address misconceptions as needed before moving on.
Students examine a map showing general regions of Native American tribes and learn that relationships with European settlers varied by region and over time. In small groups, they choose one Northeast tribe and research how that tribe’s relationship with European settlers changed. Using a timeline graphic organizer, they record the tribe’s name and at least three key events or trends that shifted the dynamic between the tribe and colonists, noting changes such as alliances, trade, disease, warfare, or land loss.
Teacher MovesReview group timelines and highlight the key idea that relationships between Native Americans and settlers were not static or uniformly good or bad. Use the provided tribe examples to help students see recurring patterns—such as trade partnerships, devastating disease, shifting alliances, and eventual loss of land—and synthesize these themes in a brief whole-class summary.
Students read an explanation of how differing views of land ownership fueled conflict: Native Americans generally saw land as a shared resource, while colonists treated land as private property and expected tribes to move after sales. In small groups, they discuss how these differing attitudes contributed to land conflict and then identify a contemporary social issue that arises from conflicting attitudes or worldviews. They determine who is involved in the modern issue, what the differing attitudes are, and summarize their group discussion in a shared wall post.
Teacher MovesGuide students to connect historical land conflicts to modern issues rooted in differing beliefs or values. If groups struggle to find examples, suggest possible contemporary issues such as women’s reproductive rights, racial profiling, or immigration and asylum, and prompt them to clearly identify the groups involved and the conflicting attitudes.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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