500 Nations Vol.5 Cauldron of War

With clear maps, plain-spoken narration, and lovely illustrations, the film evokes a time when Indians chose military alliances with French, British, and American forces--a time when Indians had to come to grips with the power of several European forces encroaching on their lands. We learn of changes in the Indian political-economy (as trading with Whites took precedence over normal activities), the slaughter of wildlife for gain in trade, and the vicious enslavement of Indians by Europeans.

The film is sympathetic to Indians, without being nostalgic or naive. Indians are not victims or monolithic in the film. They are political actors trying to survive. At times they are at war with one another, at times they effectively resist European power, and at times they are brutally slain and attacked with a cruelty mastered by Europeans. For example, the film discusses biological warfare (blankets w/ smallpox were given to many tribes), and George Washington's all-out assault on Indian villages and crops. (See Max Mintz's _Seeds of Empire_ for a rich account of Washington's brutal campaigns.)

Many more topics are briefly addressed: Pontiac's Rebellion, the US Revolutionary War, and the political amalgamation of Indian nations (who formed confederacies). And, in a refreshing change, White-Americans are given their voice in 18th century quotes, rather than 20th century ones. In other words, they are not politically corrected--Whites are given their full racist voice and hatred of Indians.

As a college instructor, I am buying this film (and perhaps others in the 500 Nations series) to show my students. I'm sure that they will benefit from this honest, complex, and rich look at early encounters between Europeans and Native Americans. Hopefully they will learn as much as I did.

The record of events begins with "The Valley of Mexico (650 AD)", where "cycles of nations had been played out", # 2 is "The Rise of the Aztecs (1300 AD)", and the building of the massive city of Tenochtitlan, and the powerful empire that thrived there. # 3, "The Invasion of Mexico (1519 AD)", with the landing of Cortez, and # 4, "The Fall of the Aztec", with its many massacres, the murder of Moctezuma, and the end of the empire, though as Sr. Celestino explains, not of the people or the culture.
I recommend viewing the entire set, as each volume is a facet of this dramatic past, and though much of it is unpleasant, it is a part of our heritage, and the knowledge and understanding of it enriches our future. An informative series, it is visually interesting, and although in only 49 minutes per segment one is not going to get too much detail, it is a good way to get an overview of the history of the Indian Nations.