Throughout history, Native Americans have been subjected to inexcusable treatment by society within the United States of America. When English settlers arrived in the United States of America in the early 1600’s, they were met with a society of individuals that were willing to maintain a mutual relationship (The New England Colonies and the Native Americans 2022). This, however, was not enough for settlers and they soon turned to violence, racism, and genocide in order to take land and resources from Native American people. Because of this, the very foundation of which the United States was built on consisted of racism and colonization (The Legacy of Injustices Against Native Americans nn.d.). This racism did not end as time went by, it is …show more content…
When English settlers arrived, Native Americans were introduced to many new diseases that they did not have immunity built up against. While their lack of immunity caused the most deaths, overt mistreatment and massacres of the Native Americans by Europeans was devastating as well (Native Americans nn.d.). When the English decided that the land that the Natives had allowed them to live on wasn’t enough, they decided that they were going to take the rest of the land. With the Declaration of Independence that was written in 1776, new laws were introduced that discriminated against Native Americans. One of the first impactful laws that was enacted was The Indian Removal Act of 1830. This act forced Native American located east of the Mississippi River to relocated to lands west of the river (Native Americans nn.d.). Another impactful law was The Indian Appropriation Act. This act provided funding for the removal of additional tribes and declared that Native Americans no longer were recognized as independent nations (Native Americans nn.d.). This act took power away from Native Americans and made it easier for the United States of America to take the land they wanted. Finally, The Dawes Act of 1887 reversed the act that allowed Native Americans to live in isolation on reservations and forced them to live on properties with White …show more content…
First, there is an unspoken belief that the United States is that Native Americans are free to be used as though they are not human. The belief is that everyone owns Native Americans and their lands which dehumanizes them (Hirschfelder & Molin 2018). In addition, Native Americans have also been given the stereotype that they are violent individuals. Throughout history, Native Americans that chose to fight back when English settlers began taking their land were deemed as “merciless Indian savages.” As this image transitioned into modern culture, it became rare to see a depiction of a Native American without a tomahawk or a scalping knife in their hand (Hirschfelder & Molin 2018). The stereotype that all Native Americans are violent, horrible people soon became popular within the film industry which only fueled the racism towards Native Americans. “Wild West shows, performed across North America and Europe from the late 1800s into the 20th century, dramatized Indian attacks on stagecoaches and cabins as well as mock battles between cavalry and Indians” (Hirschfelder & Molin 2018 p. 14). During these shows and films, Native Americans were characterized as the villains while the English settlers were the victims that were being mercilessly attacked. This perception has created a dangerous environment for Native Americans as they are seen as dangerous individuals. Because of this, Native Americans are
“Such battle images reflect longstanding stereotypes of United States-Native American interaction) in which battles over land and cultural values historically favored the more powerful invader” (Coleman, 1998, p.190). This statement directly relates to the last paper we had to write. The last paper we talked about the stereotypes and generalization of Native Americans. As of today, we still use stereotypes for the native populations. Nobody will ever truly be able to understand the indian people completely, and by generalizing and stereotyping them, it will just make it harder.
Native American groups have had much of their freedom taken away, being driven off their land, having their means of income reduced, and overall being marginalized within
In 1492 when Christopher Columbis set sail on the Atlantic Ocean, many people would not have assumed the discriminations and horrors brought to the Natives living in the Americas. Many of these Eurpeans would come over and continuously steal land, food, and culture from the native people. Ever since then people have constantly hampered their process to gain rights in lands they resided in before the white people. However during the Progressive Era many of these actions were called into question. Native American rights were severely affecting the Native population in the US.
Congress passed the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This Act forced the indians from their lands to designated areas west of the Mississippi River. This is a definite change in Federal policy towards Native Americans. In the Treaty of Hopewell and Worcester v. Georgia the u.s government recognized the Cherokee ownership of land.
While it may seem that Americans neglected Native Americans it might not be important now throughout the world, but society does not realize the conflicts that it has caused. Although, the Cherokee tribe did not get treated equal, and were forced out of there land, and perhaps most of their people got killed during the trail of tears. For Instance, Chief Tecumseh states, “When such great acts of injustice have been committed by them upon our race, of which they seem to have no manner of regard or even to reflect”. The Cherokee tribe was getting criticized, but it did not stop them from celebrating their culture and religion. It was not right that the Cherokee tribe was criticized most of the time because they had about 3,000 of their people
This is displayed when they are not permitted to their complete spate justice system as well as their inability to be a sovereign nation without U.S. government intervention. Ross and Gould (2006), also address how their book it would be impossible to address everything throughout history that Native Americans have subjugated to. Yet there is hope that new technology and procedures could lead to better treatment and understanding of Native Americans. Nonetheless, most of this will only be possible if funding towards Native Americans is increased. The lack of resources has destroyed a lot of Natives culture.
Many American children grow up playing games such as “Cowboys and Indians” where the indians are usually the bad guys and the cowboys are the good guys, or the heroes. Where do these children get the idea for these games? They don’t learn them in school or from their parents; they learn them by watching television and movies. Western films are so prevalent in American society, often watched by adults and children alike. Many Western films and Hollywood films in general perpetuate the stereotype that all Native Americans are vicious thieves and murderers and withhold moral personhood, the ability to understand and deal with complex moral problems, from the characters but attribute moral personhood and a sense of heroism on to the white characters.
Native americans in the civil rights movement Thirty-eight percent of Native Americans today have reported experiencing violence or harassment from American citizens. Throughout all of history, Native American lands have been taken away, misused and mistreated. America’s indigenous people have also faced assimilation, the attempt to dissipate their culture and tribal traditions. Along with these older issues of land and cultural assimilation, Native Americans also faced discrimination and the disrespect of their given reservations during the civil rights movement. Many of the issues of the civil rights era have yet to be solved and most are still a major problem today, such as discrimination and conflicts regarding tribal lands.
Native Americans flourished in North America, but over time white settlers came and started invading their territory. Native Americans were constantly being thrown and pushed off their land. Sorrowfully this continued as the Americans looked for new opportunities and land in the West. When the whites came to the west, it changed the Native American’s lives forever. The Native Americans had to adapt to the whites, which was difficult for them.
When the Europeans began colonizing the New World, they had a problematic relationship with the Native Americans. The Europeans sought to control a land that the Natives inhabited all their lives. They came and decided to take whatever they wanted regardless of how it affected the Native Americans. They legislated several laws, such as the Indian Removal Act, to establish their authority. The Indian Removal Act had a negative impact on the Native Americans because they were driven away from their ancestral homes, forced to adopt a different lifestyle, and their journey westwards caused the deaths of many Native Americans.
The Native American Genocide consists of 12 million deaths in 400 years. Whites wanted land and gold so once Columbus got to the America’s they started persecuting them right away. Natives have been forced on a long hard road since being persecuted in the 1500’s. To begin with, Natives came to the America’s way before Columbus did while following food and to escape conflict in their old homes (F, Meridith). Scientists say, “Native Americans came over because they wanted to explore and get away from rival tribes.”
An Act With A Negative Impact The United States has undergone significant changes throughout its history, shaped by various events including wars, battles, acts, and laws. In the 1800s, several key events had a lasting impact on the country, such as the Mexican-American War, Fugitive Slave Act, Embargo Act, and Indian Removal Act. While some may argue that one event had a greater impact than others, it is undeniable that they all contributed to shaping the country as it is today. The Indian Removal Act, specifically, had a deep impact, particularly on southeastern tribes as it authorized the forced relocation of these tribes such as the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw, from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory in present-day
The constant harassment and dehumanization that characterize their entire existence have polluted what was once their native land. For our nation to move forward in history we must fix what was once an act of true savagery, which can only be achieved by compensating for the land stolen from its rightful indigenous owners. The way of life for the European settlers negatively affected Native life. Their horses, guns, and men were too advanced and controlled hunting and food. Tribes who
The People against Native Americans As new people come to America and begin to settle, Native Americans were pushed farther and farther away from their homeland. Their land was taken from them and their freedoms were long gone. White settlers had created restrictions on their land, trade, and freedom which are still in effect today.
Throughout the 19th century Native Americans were treated far less than respectful by the United States’ government. This was the time when the United States wanted to expand and grow rapidly as a land, and to achieve this goal, the Native Americans were “pushed” westward. It was a memorable and tricky time in the Natives’ history, and the US government made many treatments with the Native Americans, making big changes on the Indian nation. Native Americans wanted to live peacefully with the white men, but the result of treatments and agreements was not quite peaceful. This precedent of mistreatment of minorities began with Andrew Jackson’s indian removal policies to the tribes of Oklahoma (specifically the Cherokee indians) in 1829 because of the lack of respect given to the indians during the removal laws.