Science Encounters the Indian, 1820-1880

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The book explores the early nineteenth-century ethnologists' perception of American Indians, shaped by Enlightenment ideals. It critiques the view that categorized Indigenous peoples as an inferior race, attributing their way of life to environmental challenges. The narrative examines the belief that education and environmental changes were necessary for their "progress," highlighting the biases and misconceptions of that era. Through this lens, it delves into the complex dynamics of race, civilization, and the impact of European thought on Indigenous identities.