Potential Bias Lachine massacre

francis parkman, american historian 1 of first write natives within colonial historical narrative, argues iroquois wars “were products of ‘insensate fury’ , ‘mad ambition’ . said iroquois waged wars due extinction of beaver, growing dependence on european goods, , resentment @ extermination of native culture. parkman argues iroquois had become dependent on european goods needed these items in order survive. in research, parkman had no evidence support claims. assumed natives’ culture inferior british-american, , overlooked potential reasons iroquois attacks. parkman’s interpretation neglected explain why iroquois had waged war against other native groups well. parkman’s view later on dismissed due ethnocentric interpretation of events.

jose brandao, historian specializing in north american native history, suggests contemporary analyses of lachine massacre continue demonstrate cultural bias. brandao criticizes historians parkman, charles mcilwain, , george hunt citing growing dependence on european goods (which were, according these historians, viewed iroquois superior other goods) reason iroquois dissatisfaction , violence. brandao dismisses theory largely ethnocentric interpretation little evidence support it. brandao dismisses hunt’s suggestion natives, similar europeans, waged wars economic reasons.