The Native American Problem What to do with the people already there?

The 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 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 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/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/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/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/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?