Narrative History James West Analysis

I believe historians should left behind the question of how many indigenous people were living in the American continent before Columbus arrival, after all professionals on the subject are not able to reach an agreement after “more than a century debating the question” debating; according to The unfinished Nation document. This not because to know the populations number is not important, but because there are many other interesting question were they can focus their attention. For example if they can study the way that indigenous people were able to manage their natural environment on their favor in such a large scale like the Amazon forest, as stated in chapter 1 of US: A Narrative History by James West. Understanding this management of resources will help us to determine in modern days how to explode our resources in a sustainable manner.

If one of the reasons was of their extinction was the overutilization of resources, we should address our modern agricultural practices that are impoverished the available farming land. Beside forest management, indigenous American where skilful on agriculture from seeds improvement to crop rotation and soil enrichment according to US: A Narrative History. If historians study how pre-columbian cultures they farming practices, it will be a valuable lesson to our modern agricultural business, which is almost mono-culture and water waster. Another useful question that should occupy historian’s efforts should be to discover if those indigenous civilizations tried to left some message for future generations, probably they foresee they disappearance long before it happen; that will be a valuable lesson for our modern society. In conclusion to answer those questions an apply the lesson in to our modern society have more practical value than know the exact number of American indigenous people were before the American Continent