U.S. History -- Indian Giver

U.S. History -- Indian Giver

Despite dwindling numbers of Native Americans seen in today's world, they were once the reigning power in the United States. After centuries of development separate from Europeans, Native Americans were introduced to new settlers who later forced them into the decrepit state they are in today. However, before Europeans had such a negative impact on Native American life, it was the Native Americans who had positive influences on the Europeans traveling from overseas. Ideas about fair treatment of prisoners and a strong democracy trickled into mainstream American society and helped influence how the country functions today.

The initial indigenous people who lied and worked in the North Atlantic helped mold the country as we know it today. Native Americans had major philosophical influences on what was to later become one of the most powerful nations in the world -- the United States. One major philosophical element the United States still holds dear to this day is the fair treatment of prisoners. Many other nations, and even Native Americans from other geographical regions of North America held traditions to kill off prisoners of war. However the Illini of the North Atlantic viewed it much more honorable and productive to keep captives alive and imprisoned until a later time period where aggressions had ceased. This idea strengthened the concept of prisons and fair treatment of captives currently seen in the United States and elsewhere. The U.S. is now one of the countries with the largest prison systems in the world. The North Atlantic Native Americans also helped instill political ideas of equal representation and democracy. Many tribes of the North Atlantic Coast ruled through a democratic process. This later helped influence the American desire for independence and the democratic style of government which came to be after the American Revolution.