The written alphabet is notable because of how it was used by the Europeans. Since Native Americans had no formal written language, Europeans knew that establishing relations by way of treaties would be difficult. Europeans educated Natives by teaching them to read and write a European language, this would help break down barriers, thus integrating cultures. At first the natives were skeptical about the written language, because Natives never followed a written agreement, blood oaths were their highest form of agreement. Europeans did not just try and teach them language for the purpose of trade. Europeans used their alphabet to "educate" Natives as well, by trying to convert them to Christianity. In a Social Darwinism sense, Europeans believed that Christians were above the barbaric Natives. They believed that unless natives accepted Jesus they would be damned, also a common religious belief among them, would bond them greater then any written code. Religion was a major technological advancement because Europeans believed they were educating and changing natives for the better. Europeans held Christianity to the highest standard in social importance, and considered conversion an evolution. To the left is a key of An early 17th late 16th century Dutch alphabet. Below is a syllabary of an original Cherokee language. This written syllabary is a key step in the technological movement and the intellectual growth of the Native Americans by way of the Columbus Exchange.
