What are some Harships face by Native American’s in the 1800’s
During the 1800s, Native Americans faced numerous hardships as a result of westward expansion and the policies of the United States government. Here are some of the major challenges they encountered:
1. Forced Removal: Native American tribes were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands through a series of Indian Removal Acts enacted by the U.S. government. The most notorious example is the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which resulted in the forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation along the Trail of Tears.
2. Loss of Land and Resources: As settlers moved westward, Native Americans were displaced from their traditional territories, leading to the loss of their traditional way of life, hunting grounds, and access to vital resources such as food, water, and timber.
3. Spread of Diseases: The arrival of European settlers introduced diseases, such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, to which Native American populations had little immunity, resulting in devastating epidemics that decimated their communities.
4. Decline of Bison and Buffalo: The mass hunting and eradication of bison and buffalo herds by settlers disrupted the food supply and cultural practices of many Plains tribes, forcing them to rely on reservations and government assistance.
5. Forced Assimilation: The U.S. government implemented policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society. Native American children were often forcibly taken from their families and sent to boarding schools where they were stripped of their language, culture, and traditions.
6. Treaties and Broken Promises: Native American tribes signed numerous treaties with the U.S. government, guaranteeing their sovereignty and rights to their lands. However, many of these treaties were later violated, leading to further loss of lands and resources.
7. Massacres and Violence: Native American tribes faced widespread violence and massacres perpetrated by both settlers and the U.S. military. Events like the Sand Creek Massacre, Wounded Knee Massacre, and the Battle of Little Bighorn are some examples of violent conflicts during this period.
8. Loss of Cultural Identity: The suppression of Native American languages, traditions, and religious practices contributed to the erosion of their cultural identity as generations were stripped of their heritage.
These hardships had long-lasting effects on Native American populations, leading to loss of land and resources, cultural disruptions, intergenerational trauma, and other socio-economic challenges that continue to be felt today.