Re: Assimilation of Immigrants
The brewing of beer actually seems to be one of the final technological steps before people begin to build monuments. Scientists think that's likely because of the nutritional advantages.
In regard to aboriginals and alcohol....We need to keep in mind that the "whiskey" they were being traded was made up of a lot of things that had nothing to do with whiskey at all. Things like turpentine (and worse) were mixed in. At the same time this systematic poisoning was taking place, oppressive conditions were being created that have led to substance abuse problems throughout history.
The British did indeed have problems with alcoholism, for instance. As more and more people moved into the cities at the beginning of the industrial revolution, the social conditions created led to massive problems. The aristocracy actually outlawed gin because of it for a time. Scotch...the preferred drink of the wealthy...remained legal.
There is also a genetic component to alcoholism and other addictions. It is poorly understood, but from what I've read it is no more prevalent in aboriginal populations than in the rest of the population.
Interesting to say the least, although long after the politization process.
The brewing of beer actually seems to be one of the final technological steps before people begin to build monuments. Scientists think that's likely because of the nutritional advantages.
In regard to aboriginals and alcohol....We need to keep in mind that the "whiskey" they were being traded was made up of a lot of things that had nothing to do with whiskey at all. Things like turpentine (and worse) were mixed in. At the same time this systematic poisoning was taking place, oppressive conditions were being created that have led to substance abuse problems throughout history.
The British did indeed have problems with alcoholism, for instance. As more and more people moved into the cities at the beginning of the industrial revolution, the social conditions created led to massive problems. The aristocracy actually outlawed gin because of it for a time. Scotch...the preferred drink of the wealthy...remained legal.
There is also a genetic component to alcoholism and other addictions. It is poorly understood, but from what I've read it is no more prevalent in aboriginal populations than in the rest of the population.