The Genocide of Native Americans 

What is Genocide?                

     Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or part, of an ethnic, racial, religious or national group.

Native American Genocide

     From the beginning of western interferance in North America, the genocide of Native Americans was apparent. When Christopher Columbus first landed in October of 1492, he brought disease and destruction with him to the peaceful continent of North America. The men on the first transatlantic voyage brought with them discrimination, disease and death. They made the native peoples into their slaves and treated them with nothing but loathing even though the natives were willing to help them learn about the native culture and landscape.

     Even when a traditional government was established, there was no hinderance to the death of the original inhabitants of the land. The American government distructed blankets, purposefully infested with the mortal disease (pestilent) of small pox, which was known to be the bane of the indian existence. The government also sent its military to kill the numerous herds of bison, which were the main source of the Native American livelihood, for they required them for food and resources. After the buffalo were almost extinct, the plains natives were hard pressed to survive, all as a cause of the American Government.

     Throughout the 19th century, Americans fought to destroy the Native culture and education. They would take Native Americans against their will and place them in schools where they were forced to learn European values, ideals and religion. This was a direct attempt to wipe out the Native American belief system and religious views. Thiw was a direct attempt to wipe out the Native Americans and their culture.

Retaliation

     Although almost no international powers made a move to stop this genocide, the Native Americans tried to fight back to preserve their cultures. The English, Spanish and French had both treated the natives similar to how the  Americans had treated them, so they made no move to stop this mistreatment. Although some Native American tribes did make an effort to retaliate against their suppressors, they were overwhelmed by the greater power of those of European descent. If all the tribes had banned together and fought the Americans, they may have been able to succeed. Unfortunately, most of the tribes tried to make peace with their overseers from the government, for the government repeatedly promised them new deals and promised to stop fighting them if they accepted. However, the government, again and again, went against their word and took back and negated deals after they had been accepted by both the government and the Native Americans. After centuries of suppression, the Americans eventually realized their drastic mistake, but it was too late to save much of the Native American culture and people. 

Important Names

     The genocide of native Americans first began when Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic. It was he who first said "This inferior race" and began the ideal that Native Americans were, in some way, a lesser being or species. Another major player was President Andrew Jackson, who tried as hard as possible to extricate the natives from their eastern homes. It was he who put the Indians on the Trail of Tears, where thousands of men, women and children had to walk across miles of territory to try to make new lives in the west. After Jackson, the plans were in place for the military to take over the mistreatment of the Indians. Year after year, generals in the army would send their soldier to kill and implement disease among native tribes. Although men like Tippecanoe, Powhattan and Red Cloud lead their tribes in the fight against their invaders, the superior technology of the Europeans eventually overwhelmed the natives who had not yet created mechanized weapons. 

Aftermath

     Before any white man had crossed the ocean to "discover" the Americas, there were approximately thirteen million men living in and around the United States. In 1980, there were not even 1.5 million left. This is after the native population has had time to increase from its lowest point, at which it dropped to less than one million in the late 1800's and early 1900's. This massive slaughter throughout the Americas contains a greater death toll than even the holocaust, which was the original reason for which the term genocide was created. It is doubtful that the Native America population will ever be able to fully recover from this drastic destruction of its population and culture. 

Result

     Because of the suffering of the Native Americans, the world has learned a valuable lesson: there is absolutely no reason to kill of a group of people just because they are "there." In fact, there is no reason to kill off a group of people at all. The Natives were attacked and massacred solely for being on the "white man's land" while it was actually their land to begin with. Because they were not christians and did not wish to convert to Christianity, they were killed. This is a travesty and, because of the honorable actions of the Native Americans, the world has become aware of this fact. 

Was it Genocide?

     There is some debate as to whether or not this folly was, in fact, genocide. Some may argue that the whites were not "deliberately" trying to kill off the Native American people and culture, that the Indians were just "in the way" or "would not move." However, there was intent to destroy both the Native American race, its culture and its religion, so this series of actions against the Indian population was, without a doubt, genocide. 

Works Consulted

Delena, Raina. "Native American Genocide." 2005. 22 April 2009. <http://www.lcsc.edu./elmartin/historybehindthenews/Spring%202005/delema.htm>

Trabich, Leah. "Native American Genocide Still Haunt United States." Cold Spring Harbor High School. 2005. 22 Spril 2009. <http://iearn.org/hgp/aeti-1997/native-americans.html>

Longhair, George. The Rise and Fall of Native Americans. New York City. New York Publishing Co. 1986.