Isolation in the Americas and Oceania
By Jonathan Gray
Although isolated, the civilians in these regions were not inhumane. They had developed systems of agricultural growth to support and sustain their growing populations respectively. Foreign competition and invasion was uncommon due to this isolation, and each group has somewhat known philosophical views and religions. An economic trade system was prevalent in these groups, and politics, although they could be seen as primitive compared to that of which is used today, was sufficient for the time being. Artifacts have been seen to portray a more complex society than what the contemporary public might view currently. You can see how these societies were shaped due to this isolation, especially those in Australia, as the aboriginal peoples had separate languages and cultures than that of which is surrounded by them.
What are some of the societies in these regions?
Some of the societies that existed in the Americas can include:
-The Toltecs They existed northwest of what is now Mexico City. Tapped into the River Tula to grow crops of corn, beans, peppers, tomatoes, and other useful plants. Supported, at its greatest time, 60,000 people -The Mexica (often referred to as the Aztecs) Public honors usually went to the military elite, who usually came from the Mexica Aristocracy. Those in the military elite gained land grants and training. Cultivated crops in floating gardens known as chinampas which was the muck from a river, which was fertile, was put into small plots to easily cultivate plants. -The Inca The Incas, rather than creating large classes of merchants with their expansive road system, did trade locally bartering for goods. Individuals had gained the ability to produce pottery, textiles, and other forms of art and clothing -Some other groups include the Pueblo and the Iriquois |
Some of the societies that were located in Oceania are:
-Aboriginals from Australia These people were mobile and nomadic, and different groups of people could exploit the different resources of the environment, as Australia is a continent containing different climates and ecological surroundings. Surrounding aboriginal societies had shown to not diffuse that often. They took close attention to their geographical structures that were located around them, where they could have religious rituals where they could request ongoing resources for them. -Polynesians Some societies that were on close islands in Polynesia traded between each other. Goods that were traded could be axes or decorative items like shells or even foods like yams. Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji is known for their close proximity to each other, where they traded canoes and mats, while also intermarrying, creating social relationships. The most prominent religious structures in Polynesia were the marae, large temple structures. Although isolated, they used their environments and created organized societies, and reached out when they had the opportunity to interact with neighbors. |
Why was this isolation degenerative?
The populations in the societies in America and Oceania were in smaller groups than the populations in the eastern hemisphere. Even without the outside interaction, they fished and foraged, creating tools for themselves, which allowed for the complete survival of themselves. But a possible downside to this isolation is the slow growth compared to the relatively social populations in other areas. They could have better offensive weapons for their advantage, while the isolated groups may lack the tools needed to protect themselves. This could also lead to sporadic deaths due to introduced diseases in which the ones who had brought the disease had already had some tolerance. Without proper interactions, it may hold these societies susceptible to disease, attacks, and other situations that may be caused by the hindrances of isolation.