Native AmericansNative Americans

Broken Promises and a Trail of TearsBroken Promises and a Trail of Tears

Native Americans Posed Problems Native Americans Posed Problems for Western Settlementfor Western Settlement

RacismRacism Viewed as backward savages/inferior in Viewed as backward savages/inferior in

intelligence, technology, culture, moralityintelligence, technology, culture, morality Different=Inferior…skin color, language, religion Different=Inferior…skin color, language, religion

and way of lifeand way of life Ethnocentrism-Disrespect of Native CultureEthnocentrism-Disrespect of Native Culture

Private ownership unknown to Natives, opens the Private ownership unknown to Natives, opens the door to exploitationdoor to exploitation

View of Indians as savages used as excuse to View of Indians as savages used as excuse to justify broken treaties, cheating, and slaughterjustify broken treaties, cheating, and slaughter

What was U.S. Policy towards What was U.S. Policy towards Native Americans?Native Americans?

Initially friendly and cooperative and Initially friendly and cooperative and respectful…Lewis and Clark, etc.respectful…Lewis and Clark, etc.

Treaties promised independence, fair prices for Treaties promised independence, fair prices for some land, protection of sacred hunting some land, protection of sacred hunting grounds, cultural preservation, later relocation grounds, cultural preservation, later relocation to lands that would be theirs “As long as grass to lands that would be theirs “As long as grass grows and water runs”….grows and water runs”….

Treaties were violated, ignored, led to forced Treaties were violated, ignored, led to forced migration and ultimately slaughter for manymigration and ultimately slaughter for many

Jackson and Indian RemovalJackson and Indian Removal

Simple plan: relocate natives across West side of Simple plan: relocate natives across West side of Mississippi River to “Indian Territory” in barren Mississippi River to “Indian Territory” in barren OklahomaOklahoma

Indian Removal Act of 1830, forced migration of Indian Removal Act of 1830, forced migration of over 70,000…in chains, little food, thin blankets in over 70,000…in chains, little food, thin blankets in Winter.Winter.

Over a third died from cold, starvation disease and Over a third died from cold, starvation disease and exhaustion…known as Trail of Tearsexhaustion…known as Trail of Tears

““A happy and certain consumation of a wise, humane, A happy and certain consumation of a wise, humane, and undeviating policy”-US pres. Martin Van Burenand undeviating policy”-US pres. Martin Van Buren

Natives did NOT go quietlyNatives did NOT go quietly

Cherokees sued the U.S. government in Cherokees sued the U.S. government in Supreme Court for national independence and Supreme Court for national independence and freedom from individual state laws. They won freedom from individual state laws. They won their case in Cherokee Nation V. Georgia.their case in Cherokee Nation V. Georgia.

Jackson refused to enforce the decision saying Jackson refused to enforce the decision saying of the Chief Justice, “John Marshall has made of the Chief Justice, “John Marshall has made his decision…Now let him enforce it.”his decision…Now let him enforce it.”

More Acts of ResistanceMore Acts of Resistance

Failing to gain civil rights via court, numerous Failing to gain civil rights via court, numerous attempts were made to militarily protect sacred attempts were made to militarily protect sacred landslands Tecumseh travelled from Canada to Alabama Tecumseh travelled from Canada to Alabama

attempting to organize a military alliance of all attempting to organize a military alliance of all tribes…rubbed out at battle of Tippecanoetribes…rubbed out at battle of Tippecanoe

Black Hawk defeated in Black Hawk WarBlack Hawk defeated in Black Hawk War Other tribes attempted to form military coalitions Other tribes attempted to form military coalitions

but were unsuccessfulbut were unsuccessful

What Advantages did Whites have?What Advantages did Whites have?

WeaponryWeaponry Agricultural output/foodAgricultural output/food Manufactured goods-used to trade for landManufactured goods-used to trade for land Alcohol, used as weapon against IndiansAlcohol, used as weapon against Indians Immunity to European diseasesImmunity to European diseases Political organization…Whites organized Political organization…Whites organized

under governments and militias while Indians under governments and militias while Indians were not organizedwere not organized

Modern Indian IssuesModern Indian Issues

Poor Health-malnutrition, infant mortality, 50-Poor Health-malnutrition, infant mortality, 50-year life expectancyyear life expectancy

Poor education, high illiteracyPoor education, high illiteracy PovertyPoverty AlcoholismAlcoholism Still battling racismStill battling racism Lack of Social ServicesLack of Social Services No official apologies for past treatmentNo official apologies for past treatment