America has changed tremendously since the first explorers set foot on it. It began as a home to Indians who lived based on the resources the land offered them. Then Spanish and French settlers came to claim parts of the north and south. The greatest change occurred when European settlers came wanting a taste of religious and political freedom. They wanted to form their own government and allow American people to be free to make their own choices. American soil observed numerous battles between the French, British, Indians and colonists who all desired to call it theirs. The French and Indian War caused the French to relinquish their control of the British; while colonists, though weak compared to the British, were able to outsmart and defeat…show more content… One personal battle that Boone faced was financial debt, which occurred early in his life (Hale, 2010). He often borrowed money to purchase the supplies he needed to assure his expeditions. Bringing furs and hides back from Kentucky could last numerous months and at one time he was away for over two years. Frequently he came back with enough to pay off what he borrowed and have money left over. Occasionally he arrived empty handed because of the Indians attacking and robbing him before he made it home. He could not repay what he borrowed from them and was required to borrow again before the next exploration. This caused him to stay in debt. When building the Wilderness Trail he finally found his financial breakthrough. In 1776, he faced another battle, his family took a direct hit when some of the Shawnee and Cherokee Indians kidnapped Boone’s daughter, Jemima to avenge his settling there (Smith, 2012). He had to be circumspect about saving Jemima. Finally, three days later, Jemima was safe, thanks to the skills her father had acquired throughout his expeditions and childhood (Smith, 2012). This prepared him for the next battle he would face. In 1778, Shawnee Indians captured Boone and a few other men. Boone was able to convince his captors not to kill him and his men. In fact, he literally made the Indians believe that he was on their side. He claimed to appreciate their culture and respect their abilities. The Indians thought so highly of him after this that they made him a “replacement son for Blackfish, the chief, who had lost his to the Americans” (Smith, 2012). The ploy that Boone used was the superb way to outsmart the Indians. They began to trust him so completely that they let him venture off and hunt for them. While he was in captivity, he heard the Indians talking about attacking Boonesborough. He used his newfound trust to escape and return back home in time to defend his