The Representation of Natives in American Culture: from the Colonial Period to Hollywood

Abstract

Since Christopher Columbus and his expedition disembarked in the American continent in 1492, the autonomy of native population started to decrease as they were enslaved, massacred, and forced to leave their lands. Many of the written records of the time presented the new continent as a promised land ready to be colonized, full of treasures and opportunities. However, these vast territories were already inhabited by different native communities which would be despised and annihilated by the new settlers. Natives were presented as savage and barbarous creatures that had nothing in common with Europeans. For this reason, whites considered that they had the right to invade native territories because they were superior to Indians, a stereotype that unfortunately was disseminated by the writings of the time and early cinema productions, and has lasted until our days. Keywords: American Conquest, 17th Century Writings, Hollywood Movies, Indians, Native Americans, Stereotypes.

Desde la llegada en 1492 de Cristóbal Colón y su expedición al continente Americano, la autonomía de los pueblos nativos que allí habitaban se vio reducida debido a que en muchos casos fueron esclavizados, masacrados y obligados a abandonar sus tierras. Las crónicas de la época presentaban el nuevo mundo como una tierra prometida que estaba esperando a ser colonizada, llena de tesoros y oportunidades al alcance de la mano. Sin embargo, dichos territorios ya estaban habitados por diversos pueblos nativos que fueron menospreciados y aniquilados por los nuevos inquilinos. Se representó a los nativos como verdaderos salvajes que no tenían nada en común con los europeos. Los blancos se creyeron seres superiores y con derecho a invadir los dominios de los indígenas, un estereotipo que, por desgracia, los escritos de la época y las primeras producciones cinemáticas propagaron y aún persiste en nuestros días. Palabras Clave: Conquista de América, Estereotipos, Indios, Nativos Americanos, Películas de Hollywood, Textos del Siglo XVII.