Native Americans Broken Promises and a Trail of Tears

Native Americans Posed Problems for Western Settlement Racism Racism Viewed as backward savages/inferior in intelligence, technology, culture, morality Viewed as backward savages/inferior in intelligence, technology, culture, morality Different=Inferior…skin color, language, religion and way of life Different=Inferior…skin color, language, religion and way of life Ethnocentrism-Disrespect of Native Culture Ethnocentrism-Disrespect of Native Culture Private ownership unknown to Natives, opens the door to exploitation Private ownership unknown to Natives, opens the door to exploitation View of Indians as savages used as excuse to justify broken treaties, cheating, and slaughter View of Indians as savages used as excuse to justify broken treaties, cheating, and slaughter

What was U.S. Policy towards Native Americans? Initially friendly and cooperative and respectful…Lewis and Clark, etc. Initially friendly and cooperative and respectful…Lewis and Clark, etc. Treaties promised independence, fair prices for some land, protection of sacred hunting grounds, cultural preservation, later relocation to lands that would be theirs “As long as grass grows and water runs”…. Treaties promised independence, fair prices for some land, protection of sacred hunting grounds, cultural preservation, later relocation to lands that would be theirs “As long as grass grows and water runs”…. Treaties were violated, ignored, led to forced migration and ultimately slaughter for many Treaties were violated, ignored, led to forced migration and ultimately slaughter for many

Jackson and Indian Removal Simple plan: relocate natives across West side of Mississippi River to “Indian Territory” in barren Oklahoma Simple plan: relocate natives across West side of Mississippi River to “Indian Territory” in barren Oklahoma Indian Removal Act of 1830, forced migration of over 70,000…in chains, little food, thin blankets in Winter. Indian Removal Act of 1830, forced migration of over 70,000…in chains, little food, thin blankets in Winter. Over a third died from cold, starvation disease and exhaustion…known as Trail of Tears Over a third died from cold, starvation disease and exhaustion…known as Trail of Tears “A happy and certain consumation of a wise, humane, and undeviating policy”-US pres. Martin Van Buren “A happy and certain consumation of a wise, humane, and undeviating policy”-US pres. Martin Van Buren

Natives did NOT go quietly Cherokees sued the U.S. government in Supreme Court for national independence and freedom from individual state laws. They won their case in Cherokee Nation V. Georgia. Cherokees sued the U.S. government in Supreme Court for national independence and freedom from individual state laws. They won their case in Cherokee Nation V. Georgia. Jackson refused to enforce the decision saying of the Chief Justice, “John Marshall has made his decision…Now let him enforce it.” Jackson refused to enforce the decision saying of the Chief Justice, “John Marshall has made his decision…Now let him enforce it.”

More Acts of Resistance Failing to gain civil rights via court, numerous attempts were made to militarily protect sacred lands Failing to gain civil rights via court, numerous attempts were made to militarily protect sacred lands Tecumseh travelled from Canada to Alabama attempting to organize a military alliance of all tribes…rubbed out at battle of Tippecanoe Tecumseh travelled from Canada to Alabama attempting to organize a military alliance of all tribes…rubbed out at battle of Tippecanoe Black Hawk defeated in Black Hawk War Black Hawk defeated in Black Hawk War Other tribes attempted to form military coalitions but were unsuccessful Other tribes attempted to form military coalitions but were unsuccessful

What Advantages did Whites have? Weaponry Weaponry Agricultural output/food Agricultural output/food Manufactured goods-used to trade for land Manufactured goods-used to trade for land Alcohol, used as weapon against Indians Alcohol, used as weapon against Indians Immunity to European diseases Immunity to European diseases Political organization…Whites organized under governments and militias while Indians were not organized Political organization…Whites organized under governments and militias while Indians were not organized

Modern Indian Issues Poor Health-malnutrition, infant mortality, 50- year life expectancy Poor Health-malnutrition, infant mortality, 50- year life expectancy Poor education, high illiteracy Poor education, high illiteracy Poverty Poverty Alcoholism Alcoholism Still battling racism Still battling racism Lack of Social Services Lack of Social Services No official apologies for past treatment No official apologies for past treatment