The Broken Chain free essay sample

One of the main conflicts in the film Broken Chain is the possession of land and resources. It has been the root of all conflicts since Europeans arrived in the New World. The British used Native Americans to their advantages in order to drive the French out of America so they can control majority of the land. The film also symbolizes a conflict between two Mohawk brothers, Thayendanega and Lohaheo. These blood brothers were warriors who helped the British fight the French in the duel for North America. As time went on and the colonies started to rebel against the crown, Thayendanega teamed up with British and led many bloody battles around the New York and Pennsylvania area; but his brother Lohaheo, who was also a great leader with his own beliefs knew the consequences of taking sides in the revolutionary war and wanted to keep his tribe neutral in hopes of saving lives and the union of the six nations. We will write a custom essay sample on The Broken Chain or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Thayendanega as a young warrior was sent to an English school by Sir William Johnson, an Englishman who admired the Iroquois, who probably inspired him to trust and partner up with the crown against the rebellious American colonists. His brother Lohaheo feared the war would threaten the future existence of his people. He focused on the best interest of the confederacy, which was to keep it together and save the land of the Native American tribes during the war. In the conflict between the brothers, Lohaheo had a reasonable argument to stay neutral instead of choosing sides between the British and the Colonists because he understood the potential of facing an uncertain future and the struggle to keep a way of life. Eventually, the Colonists won the war, and made sure they came after Native American tribes who formed an allegiance with the British. Thayendanega, who didn’t expect the Colonists to come on top, overlooked the possibility of an uncertain future. In result, he was forced to lose everything he has ever worked for and flee to Canada. Europeans lived a modern way of life compared to Native Americans who believed in equality; and never about the individual but the group. Although these two cultures were vastly different, they still had resources that one of them wanted from the other and vice versa. Europeans were shocked to see the abundance of such vast natural resources like land and furs. Land ownership was the biggest part of their social structure, it meant power and wealth. They took advantage of their best political tools against Native Americans, which was by trading goods like metal pots, copper kettles, metal ax, glass beads, decorative jewelry, woolen blankets, alcohol and guns, in return for land ownership in America. Europeans were hungry for land ownership. They viewed property as the base of independence, wealth and social status. At the time, Europe was becoming more populated and the freedom to own land was slowly diminishing. When a new world with unlimited amount of land was discovered, almost all Europeans wanted to tap into this new source. So they used their best political tools to grab the attention of Native Americans by providing them with goods that they can use to make their life much easier. Native Americans did not believe in material wealth like Europeans did. They were confused when the settlers wanted to own lands, because they believed land was part of nature and that nature was communal. But as time went on they became more dependent on European goods, even decided to set up trading posts. This response proved the success of all political tools used by Europeans to allure Native Americans. In conclusion, Europeans were far more civilized than Native Americans. They believed offering to civilize them with European made goods would further develop their trust in the British. Ultimately, they had the best and scientific way to welcome themselves into a new world.