Question

Read the quotation from the Declaration of Independence.

“[The king] has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

Based on the quotation, which best describes how White male colonists felt about Indigenous peoples?
White male colonists were fearful and mistrusting of Indigenous cultures.
White male colonists were sad and resigned toward Indigenous tribes.
White male colonists were optimistic about their relationships with Indigenous tribes
White male colonists were empathetic and understanding of Indigenous cultures.

Answer 1

White male colonists were fearful and mistrusting of Indigenous cultures.

The quotation calls Indigenous people "merciless Indian Savages" and accuses them of indiscriminate violence, showing dehumanization, fear, and mistrust rather than empathy or optimism.