Abstract EN:

The common failure of colonial attempts, during the 16th century in north america is usually ascribed to essentially unfavourable or adverse native conditions. A critical study of original documents contradict this tradition. Against the numerous opportunities available to them, the europeans cling stubbornly to the chimerical project of finding locally an equivalent of mexico or peru and abstain, till to starvation, from any kind of economic pursuit. Against the offer of cultural relationship, addressed to them by hospitable, populous and prosperous indian communities, they take refuge in a fanciful dream of superiority, which at that time can only be signified soon or late by violence, a violence then always victorious, but gratuitous, useless and without any bebefit for them. Thus their failure is due to a systematic and irrational refusal of the indigenous reality. And this refusal has its source in a deep feeling of insecurity, in a crisis of identity, resulting for them from the contact with a different world and different peoples.