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What was the motive for some First Nations people to convert to Christianity?

a) Economic opportunities
b) Cultural preservation
c) Desire for education
d) All of the above

1 Answer

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Final answer:

First Nations people converted to Christianity for various reasons including economic opportunities, desire for education, and cultural preservation. Christian missionaries facilitated education and modernization, which also played a role in conversion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The motive for some First Nations people to convert to Christianity included a complex mix of factors, such as economic opportunities, the desire for cultural preservation in the face of changing times, and the wish for education which was often provided by missionaries. During the period of European colonization, interactions between European traders, settlers, and the First Nations often had profound impacts on indigenous communities. While some conversions may have been for sincere spiritual reasons, others were strategic, providing a means to secure certain advantages like jobs in government bureaucracies, service as soldiers or police, or opportunities for children's education, which could lead to university education in Europe. Christian missionaries played a significant role in these conversions as they were seen not just as spiritual guides but also as providers of education, medicine, and a gateway to modernization.

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