Reading JournalReading JournalStruggle and Survival in Struggle and Survival in

Colonial AmericaColonial America

Shane TremblayShane Tremblay

Red Shoes: Warrior and DiplomatRed Shoes: Warrior and Diplomat

Red Shoes began as an Indian Choctaw Red Shoes began as an Indian Choctaw warrior (male), part of a nation of more than warrior (male), part of a nation of more than 20,000 at the beginning of 1820,000 at the beginning of 18 thth Century (Early Century (Early 1700’s)1700’s)

Red Shoes lived on the trade frontiers of both Red Shoes lived on the trade frontiers of both the Spanish and the French in order to get the Spanish and the French in order to get what he (and his people) wantedwhat he (and his people) wanted

Society was loosely based on giving giftsSociety was loosely based on giving gifts

Red Shoes Cont…Red Shoes Cont…

Red Shoes was known in the Louisiana and Red Shoes was known in the Louisiana and Mississippi area (where French and Spanish Mississippi area (where French and Spanish borders met at the time)borders met at the time)

Red Shoes frequently switched between Red Shoes frequently switched between loyalty to the French and loyalty to the English loyalty to the French and loyalty to the English settlers (mostly due to presents or lack of settlers (mostly due to presents or lack of presents by the French)presents by the French)

Red Shoes would effectively capture his rival Red Shoes would effectively capture his rival tribes and sell them into slaverytribes and sell them into slavery

Martin Ocelotl: Clandestine Cult Martin Ocelotl: Clandestine Cult LeaderLeader

Martin Ocelotl was a native male priest during the time of the Martin Ocelotl was a native male priest during the time of the Spanish Christianization of Mexico (Early 1500s) who was Spanish Christianization of Mexico (Early 1500s) who was ordered to death by Montezuma ordered to death by Montezuma

Martin was seen as a medicine man or shaman by his local Martin was seen as a medicine man or shaman by his local peoples, which immediately got him prosecuted by religious peoples, which immediately got him prosecuted by religious authoritiesauthorities

Martin was eventually banished from the new Colonies due to Martin was eventually banished from the new Colonies due to him being a threat to the Spread of Christianity, but survived him being a threat to the Spread of Christianity, but survived through Individual Defiancethrough Individual Defiance

He accumulated wealth through renting property as well as He accumulated wealth through renting property as well as selling his farm produce while he was continually harassed selling his farm produce while he was continually harassed about witchcraft and magic.about witchcraft and magic.

Martin was able to avoid death and work his way around the Martin was able to avoid death and work his way around the system, until he was eventually lost at seasystem, until he was eventually lost at sea

Antonio de Gouveia: Adventurer Antonio de Gouveia: Adventurer and Priestand Priest

Antonio de Gouveia had a very active life to say the least. He Antonio de Gouveia had a very active life to say the least. He lived during the mid 1500’s after Columbus had already lived during the mid 1500’s after Columbus had already landed in the New World in South America landed in the New World in South America

Antonio began as a priest, but soon found himself working Antonio began as a priest, but soon found himself working with medicinal healing and mineralogy for moneywith medicinal healing and mineralogy for money

Antonio endured much ridicule and religious prosecution due Antonio endured much ridicule and religious prosecution due to his practice (as well as his stories)to his practice (as well as his stories)

He was sent on Bahia on criminal grounds, however, was He was sent on Bahia on criminal grounds, however, was unable to stay out of trouble and was put behind bars in Libson unable to stay out of trouble and was put behind bars in Libson for 3 years before any judge heard his casefor 3 years before any judge heard his case

Juan de Morga and Gertrudis de Juan de Morga and Gertrudis de Escobar: Rebellious SlavesEscobar: Rebellious Slaves

Juan de Morga and Gertrudis de Escobar lived in Juan de Morga and Gertrudis de Escobar lived in Mexico during the mid 17the CenturyMexico during the mid 17the Century

Both were mulatto slaves. Most slave work was either Both were mulatto slaves. Most slave work was either in the sugar plantations or the silver minesin the sugar plantations or the silver mines

Juan de Morga was born a slave, yet he learned to Juan de Morga was born a slave, yet he learned to read and writeread and write

He would write to city authorities after horrendous He would write to city authorities after horrendous beatings by his master, in an effort to free himself (or beatings by his master, in an effort to free himself (or at least get a new master)at least get a new master)

Gertrudis de EscobarGertrudis de Escobar

Gertrudis de Escobar was born in the Mid 17Gertrudis de Escobar was born in the Mid 17 thth Century (1600’s). Her parents died when she was a Century (1600’s). Her parents died when she was a young girl, therefore putting her into slavery.young girl, therefore putting her into slavery.

She worked as a servant in Mexico city and was She worked as a servant in Mexico city and was beaten many times by her nunsbeaten many times by her nuns

Gertrudis was sent to a sugar plantation as a slaveGertrudis was sent to a sugar plantation as a slave She was beaten for not working hard enough many She was beaten for not working hard enough many

times, and because of this, she made many attempts to times, and because of this, she made many attempts to escape but was returned and given up to 300 lashesescape but was returned and given up to 300 lashes