Question

How does this cartoon from the early 1800s relate to common stereotypes of American Indians in the colonial period?

cartoon showing a stereotyped American Indian cutting a white colonist's head off

Answer 1

It takes the stereotype that all Native Americans are savages.

Answer 2

The main message that this cartoon wants to convey is the belief that American Indians are savages. This was a common belief during the colonial period. Settlers often believed that American Indians were uncivilized savages that enjoyed employing violence against the European settlers. This led many people to be fearful, or even hateful towards American Indians. It also made relationships between the two groups more tense and damaging.