Why is it that the Americans were so threatened by the lifestyle of the Indians? I see this as the worry of not having control. Americans had built themselves up as being the big men on campus, sitting on their pedestal while "lesser" people do the work or do whatever they say. The Americans also had structure, on that they fought for, and they live within societies that are "civilized". The Indians didn't have that and when they weren't controlled they could have been what broke apart society.
Far back, ie with black slaves, Americans have had control over another group of people and so by pushing Indians onto increasingly small reservations they can be kept in check. It's all a game for power.
