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"Before those whom you call your brothers come on your lands did you not live b...

Sep 6, 2023

"Before those whom you call your brothers come on your lands did you not live by bow and arrow? You had no need of gun nor powder, nor the rest of their things, and nevertheless you caught animals to live and clothe yourselves with their skins, but when I saw that you inclined to the evil, I called back the animals into the depths of the woods, so that you had need of your brothers to have your wants supplied and I shall send back to you the animals to live on." Pontiac, an Ottawa war chief, 1763 What goal did Pontiac try to achieve by making this speech? He wanted to convert the Ottawa to Christianity to stop A sin. He wanted to create unity and cultural rejuvenation B among indigenous peoples. C He wanted the Ottawa to become vegetarians. D He wanted to stop fratricide among the Ottawa.

*AnswerChoice* B *AnswerChoice*

Key Concept

KC-2.1.II.D In the 18th century, various native nations strategically played European powers off one another to protect and extend their own tribal lands or to protect their own trade networks.

Explanation

Pontiac, an Ottawa war chief, was known for his efforts to resist British military occupation and cultural influence after the French and Indian War. In this speech, he is reminding his people of their traditional ways of life before the arrival of Europeans, and how they were self-sufficient and lived in harmony with nature. He is calling for a return to these traditional ways and a rejection of European goods and influence. This suggests that his goal was to create unity and cultural rejuvenation among indigenous peoples, which aligns with option B. He is not advocating for conversion to Christianity, vegetarianism, or addressing fratricide, which rules out options A, C, and D.