Charles Mann Native American Civilization Analysis

Although many history classes have taught us that Native American societies were primitive, Charles Mann along with other historians argued that Native Americans did possessed a complexed history prior to Columbus, closer examination shows that they had large rich societies in, architecture, and agriculture. Mann believes the “Indian” population was larger, and their societies more accomplished, than was earlier believed. He estimates 40-60 million, but the count keeps rising. Another false belief was that the Indians lived on the land without touching it. In fact, they used "slash and burn" to clear and create grasslands for cultivation. In the north, Indians also used this method to pushed back the hordes of bison, deer and passenger

Also, the hygiene factor was important, the Indians bathed regularly while the Europeans did not. This in my option had to play a huge part in the fact that disease was not common until the Europeans came to this new world. Mann continues to show how each society lived. We see that Europeans lived with their animals which in turn caused them to become sick. They could keep these diseases from spreading, by quarantine and medicine. This helped the Europeans build up a tolerance. With the Indians, they did not live with animals, they killed what was needed and used every part to ensure survival. So, when disease was brought over they were unprepared and many died. Numbers are still unknown. There were many different types of American Indian houses in North America. Each tribe needed a kind of housing that would fit their lifestyle and their climate. As of today, some of these buildings are still standing which goes to show that the Indians were far more advanced than we have given them credit for. Who’s to say Mann’s theory is correct or not? From this girl point of view I see the facts in his arguments I will have to agree with Mann. Until the time man builds a time machine we will never truly