Osprey Men-at-Arms 228 : American Woodland Indians

In 1492 Columbus discovered the Americas for Europeans, although contacts had probably occurred before this time. He was searching for a western route to the Indies, and hence the term 'Indian' was adopted mistakenly to designate the indigenous American race. The so-called 'Woodland' cultural area is historically the most important in the development of the early United States, and the tribes in this region played the most important role of all the native Americans in shaping the New World's history. Some historians have suggested that French, not English, would have been the language of the United States had not the Iroquois hatred of the French been greater than their distrust of the English at crucial periods of history. Others have claimed that the American Constitution was influenced by Iroquois political skills. In at least three major battles between Indian and Euro-American military forces more soldiers were killed than at that famed battle in the West when Custer lost his command. Michael G. Johnson explores the history and culture of the American Woodland Indians with the aid of numerous illustrations and photographs, including eight full page colour plates by Richard Hook.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Woodland Tribes
• Wars of the Eastern Tribes
• Warriors and Warfare
• Woodland Indian Life and Culture
• Technology, Dress and Art
• The Plates