Final answer:
Boas criticized the ethnocentric and condescending attitude in many travel writers' publications towards indigenous peoples, promoting a more respectful representation of their unique cultural histories.
Step-by-step explanation:
Boas argued that publications of many travel writers displayed an ethnocentric and condescending attitude towards indigenous peoples. These writers often saw native populations as subordinate and their civilizational practices as less advanced compared to those of Europeans. The anthropological work of Franz Boas was instrumental in challenging these ethnocentric views by illustrating the unique historical trajectories and cultural richness of various indigenous groups. His criticisms were aimed at rejecting the then prevalent notions that categorized cultures into hierarchies of 'primitive' to 'civilized', and he emphasized the need to understand cultures within their own historical contexts. Boas's work contributed to changing perceptions about indigenous peoples and encouraged a more respectful and accurate representation in historical and cultural studies.