The Assault on American Indian Life and Culture

ASU HST 200 (Historical Themes) Westward Expansion, 1840-1900 The Assault on American Indian Life and Culture Native American tribes who had been residing on the area for a long time eventually came into conflict with American settlers as they moved westward. Even if the likelihood of assaults was extremely low and in no way related to the number of U.S. The odd attack—typically a retaliatory one—and Army measures targeted at them were sufficient to feed the public's mistrust of Native Americans. When the conflicts arose, they were violent, but the settlers were mostly to blame for the violence. In the end, the settlers tried to drive the tribes from the areas they wanted, assisted by local militias and, eventually, the federal government. Despite a few Native American military triumphs, this endeavor ultimately proved successful and drastically altered the manner of life of American Indians. Between 1840 and 1900, the United States had a period of notable territorial expansion and discovery known as the Westward Expansion. However, this time also presented enormous problems for the Native American tribes who had long occupied these areas. Land, resources, and cultural disputes resulted from the inevitable encroachment of American settlers onto Native American tribes' lands as they advanced westward. The area that American settlers now attempted to claim as their own had been inhabited for generations by Native American tribes. The native communities that western settlers came upon were frequently ignored or violently uprooted. Many disputes and violent acts between settlers and indigenous peoples were caused by this disrespect for Native American sovereignty and rights. Even though there isn't much chance of attacks by Native American tribes, when they do happen, they are frequently sensationalized and used as justification for more encroachment on native territories. The public's suspicion and dread of Native Americans were heightened by the excessive portrayal of their infrequent retaliatory attacks, which were often in response to colonial invasions or mistreatment, as vicious acts of hostility. But in actuality, settlers frequently started hostilities and conflicts with Native American tribes by themselves. The settlers often used violent methods to establish their authority and control over the area because they were driven by a desire for land, resources, and growth. Native American tribes fought to protect their lands and ways of existence against a powerful force that was produced by these activities, local militias, and ultimately the federal government. The battle ultimately benefited the settlers, despite some Native American resistance and military victories, such as the Battle of Little Bighorn. Native American tribes were progressively removed off their original lands and placed on reservations by a mix of military force, violated treaties, and programs of forced removal. This westward migration and the attack on Native American life and culture had far-reaching and significant repercussions. Whole tribes had their homes taken away from them, their customs disturbed, and their cultural identities lost. For Native American tribes, the loss of land and resources had disastrous consequences that resulted in social unrest, illness, and poverty. Furthermore, the goal of the federal government's policies regarding Native Americans was to forcefully integrate them into mainstream American culture, frequently at the expense of their traditional history and identity. These policies included boarding school construction and assimilation initiatives. In conclusion, Native American tribes experienced severe hardship and turmoil as a result of the United States' westward expansion throughout the 19th century. The assassination and relocation policies of the government, along with settler greed, led to a devastating and long-lasting attack on the lives and traditions of indigenous peoples throughout the continent.