Christian Missions to American Indians
Christian Missions to American Indians
- Carol L. HighamCarol L. HighamDepartment of History, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Summary
Comparing Catholic and Protestant missionaries in North America can be a herculean task. It means comparing many religious groups, at least five governments, and hundreds of groups of Indians. But missions to the Indians played important roles in social, cultural, and political changes for Indians, Europeans, and Americans from the very beginning of contact in the 1500s to the present. By comparing Catholic and Protestant missions to the Indians, this article provides a better understanding of the relationship between these movements and their functions in the history of borders and frontiers, including how the missions changed both European and Indian cultures.
Subjects
- Native American History
- Religious History