The Native American and European PerspectiveDuring the 16th and 17th centuries, when Europeans began arriving in the new world, they discovered a society of Indians that was surprisingly different from their own. To understand how different they are, one must first compare and contrast some of the very important differences between them, such as how Europeans viewed Indians as extremely primitive and basic, while they viewed themselves as civilized. The Europeans considered them model societies and thought that the society and culture of the Indians needed to be changed to be very similar to their own. Europeans and Indians had very contrasting ideas about personal wealth and property. Europeans believed that only the wealthy should own land and firmly followed the practice that when one dies, the land remains in the family to keep the family's honor and pride alive. In European society, what one owned determined one's identity, political point of view, wealth, and even independence. Indians believed that property was part of a tribe, not a personal possession to be owned. One of their beliefs was that the land was sacred and that every family should have a piece of it. As a general rule, Indians followed their belief that everything on earth is given to everyone and each person deserves their share. In 1657, a French Jesuit said that "their kindness, humanity and courtesy not only makes them liberal with what they have"....