Professor Peter Mancall on Understanding Colonial America
Summary
Historian Peter C. Mancall discusses writing *Contested Continent*, the first volume of Oxford’s acclaimed American history series. He details the challenge of crafting a grand narrative that centers Indigenous agency and sophistication, countering traditional Eurocentric views. Mancall explains how he uses primary sources to highlight Native peoples as major players in shaping early North American history, rather than passive victims of colonization.
Topics discussed
Intro: Kia Sorento ad and series overview
Guest introduction: Peter C. Mancall
Origin of the book and Oxford University Press invitation
Writing process, feedback, and narrative challenges
Scholarly waves, the 1619 Project, and historical anniversaries
The intimidation of writing a comprehensive history
Translating academic history for a general audience
Using Acoma and Cahokia as narrative anchors
Native peoples as major players in early history
Maize cultivation and indigenous ingenuity
Indigenous agency and the failure of Chikora
Reinterpreting Pocahontas and Powhatan's strategy
Colonial survival and reliance on Native knowledge
Environmental history and the Columbian Exchange
Ending in 1680: Wars, revolts, and contingency
Anecdotes: New Mexico missions and New Haven disputes
Conclusion and credits
Listen ad-free on Castria