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.
I wanted to ask the same question as well. I agree with the fact that it was because of the worry of not having control over these people. However, that still does not fully answer the question. Why were they bothered by Native Americans, who were living peacefully by themselves? Were they afraid of later consequences? Do you think it was because they were sources of obstacles in expansion? Judging from the last paragraph, it seems like you are saying that white men were all about superiority and power, that they treated these kinds of inhumane acts as games. Do you think their actions were justified?
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Americans did not really have issues with the Indians because they saw them as a threat, but simply because of where the Native American's were. I believe that there is a reoccurring issue when it comes to the relationship of the United States towards the Native Americans, and that is that America wanted the land of the Native Americans, because of the resources and the much wanted space. I think that the majority of issues was caused simply because of the fact that America wanted land, but the Native Americans would not give up the land.
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