France and England in North America, Part II: The Jesuits in North America in the Seventeenth Century

"France and England in North America, Part II: The Jesuits in North America" by Francis Parkman is a historical narrative from the late 1800s that recounts the 17th-century quest of French Jesuit missionaries to convert Native American tribes, highlighting the intersection of religious passion and political strategy. It portrays the trials and dedication of the missionaries while also depicting the diverse cultures and spiritual beliefs of the Native Americans they met. The story starts by emphasizing the often-unrecognized contributions of these early Jesuits, who documented their experiences in detailed reports as they navigated the political challenges of early America, painting a picture of divided indigenous tribes, their customs, and their interactions during a time of great change and conflict and placing the Jesuit's work within a complex social world in North America.