The Native American Problem

The Native American Problem

What to do with the people already there?What to do with the people already there?

The Downside to DestinyThe Downside to Destiny

◊ During the 1840’s Americans claimed new land across the continent

◊ This brought numerous conflicts with Native Americans

◊ The settlers and American Government had 3 strategies to deal with the Native Americans

◊ During the 1840’s Americans claimed new land across the continent

◊ This brought numerous conflicts with Native Americans

◊ The settlers and American Government had 3 strategies to deal with the Native Americans

Strategy #1 AssimilationStrategy #1 Assimilation

◊ Assimilation• Explanation: Bring the Native Americans into

“American” society and culture

• Make them like white Americans◊ Example: Carlisle Indian School

• Teach the Native Americans to be like Americans

◊ Learn Christianity◊ Speak English◊ Farm◊ Look and dress like Americans

◊ Assimilation• Explanation: Bring the Native Americans into

“American” society and culture

• Make them like white Americans◊ Example: Carlisle Indian School

• Teach the Native Americans to be like Americans

◊ Learn Christianity◊ Speak English◊ Farm◊ Look and dress like Americans

Strategy #1 AssimilationStrategy #1 Assimilation

• Positives: ◊ Native Americans could help the country◊ No loss of life for U.S. soldiers

• Negatives:◊ Many Native Americans refused to give

up their culture◊ Only a small portion of the Native

American population was able to have schooling

• Positives: ◊ Native Americans could help the country◊ No loss of life for U.S. soldiers

• Negatives:◊ Many Native Americans refused to give

up their culture◊ Only a small portion of the Native

American population was able to have schooling

Strategy #2 War/ForceStrategy #2 War/Force

◊ Explanation: Fight the Native Americans for their land

◊ Reason: Native Americans wouldn’t leave on their own

◊ Example:• Battle of Wounded Knee• Chivington Massacre

◊ Explanation: Fight the Native Americans for their land

◊ Reason: Native Americans wouldn’t leave on their own

◊ Example:• Battle of Wounded Knee• Chivington Massacre

Strategy #2 War/ForceStrategy #2 War/Force

• Positives: ◊ Don’t have to pay the Native Americans

• Negatives:◊ U.S. soldiers killed◊ Native Americans killed (is this a

disadvantage)◊ Native Americans may retreat and fight

again

• Positives: ◊ Don’t have to pay the Native Americans

• Negatives:◊ U.S. soldiers killed◊ Native Americans killed (is this a

disadvantage)◊ Native Americans may retreat and fight

again

Strategy #3 Segregation/ReservationsStrategy #3 Segregation/Reservations◊ Explanation: Designate areas for the Native

Americans to live◊ Reason: Native Americans could not survive

close to the white◊ Example: Reservation System

◊ Explanation: Designate areas for the Native Americans to live

◊ Reason: Native Americans could not survive close to the white

◊ Example: Reservation System

Strategy #3 Segregation/ReservationsStrategy #3 Segregation/Reservations◊ Positives:

• Control Native Americans• Don’t have to fight them again and again • Get land!!!

◊ Negatives: • Resources needed to provide for the Native

Americans (expensive)• What if we need the land later?

◊ Positives:• Control Native Americans• Don’t have to fight them again and again • Get land!!!

◊ Negatives: • Resources needed to provide for the Native

Americans (expensive)• What if we need the land later?