In a variety of classical examples, 19th
century American Soldiers were hailed as heroes. Their successes in campaigns
against the Native Nations inflicting terror, pain, even anguish upon the
Nations. For what? Was it the natural resources their many tribes resided on?
Or could it possibly be that the American Soldiers became so accustomed to
waging war during the Civil War that their interactions with the Native Nations
were a reactive trained response in how warfare was waged. Some may even look
at it as a treatment of a hostile enemy that did not support United States
interests.
History
has shown countless times the American Soldiers went out of their way to seek
out and eliminate the threat. Even when the Native Nations were not aggressive
or demeaning in their actions.
How
many examples depict Natives as heroes for overcoming insurmountable odds,
outsmarting American Soldiers or exercising good judgment and restraint despite
their own personal feelings to their treatment?
From a point of
perspective, I think of events where a Native Nation could be hailed as heroes
for defending their principles, their land, and their people.
In a previous
assignment, I discussed how the restraint of Chief Seattle eventually helped
the Suquamish Nation and eventually was lauded by American settlers in the area
even after being forced off his Nation’s homeland by helping the Americans
overcome the elements and live and survive in the Pacific Northwest.
Other events such
as the Battle of Little Big Horn where the Lakota and Cheyenne led by Chiefs
Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, jointly battled an aggressive and risk taking
Custer who would be overwhelmed by the Native Nations and decisively defeated
on the Montana Plains and another squirmish commonly referred to as the “Dade
Massacre” a part of the 2nd Seminole War where again a 100 plus
American artillery force was drawn in and enveloped by the Seminole Nation. In
both of these scenarios, the Native Nations grew tired of being forced off
their lands and told they were relocating into uninhabitable lands in order to
support the Americans who desired the resources that their lands resided
on.
I often think in
terms of what is deemed as success by some and failure by others and to what
conditions and associated variables are involved. I am curious about what your
feelings are regarding this topic.
References:
Exploresouthernhistory.com. “Dade Battlefield Historic State Park”. N.p. 2011. Web 11 July 2014.
History.com. “The
Battle of Little Big Horn.” A & E Television Networks. 2014. Web. 11
July 2014.
I think we heard more about the American's winning the battle because of the way they passed information along. They were already documenting this information so it is there for us to see. The Native American's were most likely passed the information along by word of mouth. I bet if we spent some time on an Indian Reservation listening to the descendents of those who actually lived it we would hear a whole different perspective. In the same way our country passes information in the media differently than other countries, especially if we are at odds with each other.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Richard,
ReplyDeleteYou stated, "I often think in terms of what is deemed as success by some and failure by others and to what conditions and associated variables are involved. I am curious about what your feelings are regarding this topic."
I think it important to listen for the silences. I think that many times, where there is 'success' for one group of people, there is likely an enforced silence where another group feels the negative impacts of that 'success' but their perspective is simply not spoken or acknowledged by the dominating group.
I am also thinking about the term success, and I believe it is one of those words that we should ask for a definition whenever we hear it used. We should seek clarity for true understanding, because 'success' has different meanings for different folks.
The Seminole still purport that they never ceded land or lost to the American Government. The one agreement that was made was negated by intrusion by American government. Rather popular history where I live.
ReplyDelete