Question

Which of the following best explains how Jefferson characterizes the Indians in Paragraph 2?

a) A more settled and agricultural lifestyle is of no interest to the Indians.

b) The Indians, like U.S. citizens, regard agriculture, civilization, and comforts as automatically more desirable than their traditional lifestyle.

c) The Indians know better than the U.S. citizens what kind of lifestyle is best for them.

d) A lifestyle involving both hunting and agriculture is the ideal lifestyle for neither the Indians nor the U.S. citizens and will lead to violent relations.

Answer 1

Jefferson characterizes the Indians in Paragraph 2 as having a desire to adopt agriculture, civilization, and comforts as more desirable than their traditional lifestyle.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jefferson's characterization of the Indians in Paragraph 2 can best be explained by option b) The Indians, like U.S. citizens, regard agriculture, civilization, and comforts as automatically more desirable than their traditional lifestyle.

Throughout his view on Indian policy, Jefferson believed that contact with "civilization" would transform native peoples and bring peace between Indians and settlers. He argued that as Indians became "civilized" by replacing hunting with farming, they would require less land and adopt American ways, freeing up land for white settlers.

This characterization portrays the Indians as wanting to adopt the agricultural and civilized lifestyle promoted by Jefferson, similar to U.S. citizens. It suggests that the Indians saw agriculture, civilization, and comforts as more desirable than their traditional lifestyle, aligning with Jefferson's ideal vision for both Indians and Americans.