Question

What were the ramifications of the northern Europeans failing to find cities equivalent to Tenochtitlán anywhere in North America?

a) They believed the lack of cities reflected Native American inferiority.
b) It led to the perception that Native Americans lacked civilization.
c) Europeans saw Native Americans as incapable of urban development.
d) They recognized cultural differences and admired Native American societies.

Answer 1

The lack of large cities in North America led Europeans to perceive Native American societies as lacking civilization, influencing longstanding stereotypes about Native American culture and civilization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ramifications of the northern Europeans failing to find cities equivalent to Tenochtitlán in North America were significant in shaping their perceptions of Native American societies. The options given reflect the development of stereotypes and the perception of these societies as lacking in comparison to European standards of civilization. However, the correct answer that encompasses the general sentiment and behavior of the Europeans at that time would be:

• b) It led to the perception that Native Americans lacked civilization.

Native Americans were often seen as lacking the social and political organization that Europeans associated with civilization due to the absence of large urban developments. This belief was further reinforced by additional stereotypes and misconceptions deriving from early anthropological research. Societies like the Aztec had established significant cities, but in North America, European explorers found smaller, disparate communities, which affected their views on Native American civilization and contributed to false assumptions about their capabilities in urban development and land use.