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Land Too Good For Indians: The Legacy of Colonialism and Native American Dispossession

Dwight Blair

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Published in Land Too Good For Indians: Northern Indian Removal (New Directions In Native American Studies 13)

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The land of the United States of America, vast and diverse as it is, holds within its depths a complex and painful history—a history marked by the systematic dispossession of its original inhabitants, the Native American peoples.

Land Too Good for Indians: Northern Indian Removal (New Directions in Native American Studies 13)

Land Too Good for Indians: Northern Indian Removal (New Directions in Native American Studies Series Book 13)

by John P. Bowes

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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From the moment European colonizers set foot on these shores, the land became a focal point of conflict and conquest. The colonizers, driven by a relentless drive for expansion and a belief in their own superiority, viewed the land as a resource to be exploited and the Native Americans as obstacles to be removed.

The Doctrine of Discovery

The foundation of the colonizers' claim to the land was laid in the Doctrine of Discovery, a legal principle established by papal bulls in the 15th century. This doctrine gave European powers the right to claim any land that they "discovered" if it was not already occupied by Christians.

The Doctrine of Discovery provided a convenient justification for the colonization of the Americas. European nations, armed with this legalistic fig leaf, embarked on a global campaign of conquest and dispossession.

Forced Removal and Indian Wars

As the colonizers expanded their settlements westward, they encountered resistance from Native American nations determined to protect their lands and way of life. This resistance was met with brutal force.

The United States government waged a series of wars against Native American tribes, culminating in the forced removal of hundreds of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands.

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized the federal government to negotiate treaties with Native American tribes to exchange their lands east of the Mississippi River for lands west of the river. Many tribes were coerced or deceived into signing these treaties.

Those who resisted were forcibly removed from their homes and marched on long and perilous journeys to reservations in the West. Thousands died along the way, in what became known as the Trail of Tears.

The Dawes Act and Assimilation

In the late 19th century, the United States government implemented a new policy of assimilation aimed at breaking up Native American tribal lands and forcing Native Americans to adopt the ways of white society.

The Dawes Act of 1887 divided reservation lands into individual allotments. The goal was to create a class of Native American farmers who would become self-sufficient and integrated into American society.

However, the Dawes Act had devastating consequences for Native Americans. Many were unable to adapt to the unfamiliar agricultural practices or were cheated out of their land by unscrupulous land speculators.

The Dawes Act also led to the loss of millions of acres of Native American land. By the early 20th century, Native Americans had lost over half of their original landholdings.

The Legacy of Dispossession

The legacy of land dispossession faced by Native Americans is profound and far-reaching. The loss of land has had a devastating impact on Native American cultures, economies, and communities.

Many Native Americans today live in poverty on reservations that are often isolated and underdeveloped. They face high rates of unemployment, disease, and social problems.

The struggle for justice and the recovery of lost lands continues to be a central issue for Native American nations. In recent years, there have been numerous legal battles and protests over land rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation.

The history of land dispossession faced by Native Americans is a dark chapter in the history of the United States. It is a story of greed, violence, and broken promises.

The legacy of this history continues to shape the lives of Native Americans today. But it is also a story of resilience, resistance, and the ongoing struggle for justice.

Land Too Good for Indians: Northern Indian Removal (New Directions in Native American Studies Series Book 13)

by John P. Bowes

4.2 out of 5