Chapter 23 Section 1 Notes Equality for Latinos and Native Americans

Origin of Latinos in U.S. Latino means anyone from Central Am. or Carribean Mexicans Largest group Mostly settled in SW U.S. Arrived at various times throughout history Some were here when we added land Mexican – American war (1846 - 1848) Map on pg. 136 Some arrived during Mexican Revolution 1910’s (pgs. 363 – 365) Braceros arrived during WWII U.S. needed cheap agricultural labor Some arrived during 1960s Mexican economy was really bad

Other Latino Groups common in U.S. Puerto Ricans Became U.S. territory in 1898 (still is) Treaty of Paris (end of Sp. – Am. War) New York most populated city Cubans Became U.S. territory in 1898 Independent in 1930s Many arrive in 1959 to flee Communism Castro Miami most populated city Variety of Central Am. Countries Why do people come to U.S? Civil War and poverty

Latino – Am. Problems in the 1960s & 1970s Job Discrimination 50% higher unemployment and poverty rates than whites Housing Discrimination Couldn’t afford to buy a house Many landlords wouldn’t rent to them Had to live in Segregated Barrios Poorly constructed shacks Businesses deny service Just like African - Americans

Latino Activism in the 1960s & 1970s Farm Worker Movement Led by Cesar Chavez Believed workers needed a union Better wages and benefits Organized boycott of California Grape growers Mgmt. refused to recognize the union lasted 5 years nonviolent (like MLK Jr.) Eventually succeeded

Called for Bilingual Education National law passed in 1968 Brown Power Movement Called for Bilingual Education National law passed in 1968 Brown Berets Organized student walkouts in schools Called for improvements Smaller class sizes More Latin Am. Role models teachers & administration Courses on Latin Am. history Political power elected mayors and members to Congress

Native Am. Problems in the 1960s & 1970s Highest unemployment rate Highest poverty rate Highest infant mortality rate Suffered most from alcoholism High rates of drug abuse Lowest life expectancy rate MOST IF NOT ALL STILL TRUE TODAY!

Native Am. Activism in the 1960s & 1970s Declaration of Indian Purpose (1961) Created by leaders of 90 Native American tribes no more termination policy Govt. funded attempts to assimilate (blend) Native Ams. with society. Main Goal = Wanted autonomy independence to make own decisions regarding their people need govt. financial assistance on reservations Govt. responds slowly… but does provide $ President Kennedy with Native American Representatives Meeting the President. Washington: President Kennedy met with representatives of 90 American Indian tribes at the White House and was presented with the Declaration of Indian Purpose. During the ceremony, Kennedy described the American Indian as the "First Citizen" and said all Americans “have a strong obligation to improve the living conditions of the Indians”

American Indian Movement (begins in 1968) 2 Goals combat police brutality against Native Ams. get land rights back (explain) Methods used Marches “Trail of Broken Treaties” on Wash. DC Violent incidents Wounded Knee hostage situation Occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Destroyed records Caused $2 million in damages

The Wounded Knee incident began on February 27, 1973, when approximately 200 members of the American Indian Movement seized and occupied the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. The protest followed an unsuccessful attempt by a local tribe to impeach their leader, whom they accused of corruption and abuse of opponents. Additionally, protestors attacked the United States government's failure to fulfill treaties with Indian people and demanded the reopening of treaty negotiations. AIM activists controlled the town for 71 days while U.S. and local law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area. The activists chose the site of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre for its symbolic value. Both sides were armed and shooting was frequent. 4 people were killed total… 1 govt. official, 2 Native Ams., and 1 Civil Rights activist on site to help. Due to damage to the houses, the small community was not reoccupied until the 1990s. The occupation attracted wide media coverage, especially after the press accompanied two U.S. Senators from South Dakota to Wounded Knee. The events electrified American Indians, who were inspired by the sight of their people standing in defiance of the government which had so often failed them. Many Indian supporters traveled to Wounded Knee to join the protest. At the time there was widespread public sympathy for the goals of the occupation, as Americans were becoming more aware of longstanding issues of injustice related to American Indians.

Native Am. Victories Gained power to control children’s education Got some land back from Govt. Got $ from Govt. for some land sold in the past to people for ridiculously cheap prices Loss No $$$ back for wrongful deaths of ancestors