1) Who were the author[s], date and/or origins of the primary source?
Elias Boudinot delivered “An Address to the Whites” speech for the first time in Philadelphia at a Presbyterian church in May 26, 1826. The speech was later printed by Willian F. Geddes. The address was part of a fundraising tour that was programmed to acquire funds for establishing a publishing house for Cherokee Nation.
2) To who was document directed?
The document was directed to the white philanthropists. He appealed to them to help in establishing a printing press for the Cherokee nation that would help in educating and improving the Cherokee. He compared the Cherokee to the Whites to illustrate their condition and their journey towards civilization.
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3) What were the main idea[s] and argument[s] of the primary source?
Boudinot describes his people as savages that need civilization. His main idea was that civilization was the only way to help conserve the Indians and the only people that would have helped the reds were the whites. He regarded the whites as a sympathetic philanthropist who had a capability of helping the reds with educational paper.
4) What were the political, religious, and/or social messages[s] of the primary document?
The speech was delivered at a time when there was turmoil between the US government and Native Americans. Boudinot insisted that improvement could be realized with the acculturation of the Cherokee Christian morality. He appealed to the sense of humanity when he describes actions of whites as one that would save the grace of both whites and the natives. He describes the natives as though they depended on the mercy of the whites. While incorporating religious views, he influenced the politics of same rights for all individuals.
5) How did it relate to the era it originated or what does it teach us about the society where it originated?
The speech mainly showed the similarities between the whites the Cherokee who were extensively adopting the whites’ culture. The address indicates that most of the Cherokee nation was uncivilized and there was a need to advocate for strategies that would facilitate civilization such as the erection of a publishing house.
