HIST-H 105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: General Idea, Semi-Arid Climate, Homestead Acts
Document Summary
Every culture thinks they are superior at some time. 12-18-13: colonial days- savages, 1700s- noble savages - different, not necessarily bad term, in some ways better culture/some ways worse culture. Not tainted by power struggles/wars europeans went through: thomas jefferson- indian race was fine, but culture made them inferior. Became general idea- if indians could just assimilate into white culture they could be successful with no problem. Cherokee assimilated very well, but always seemed to be in way of white progress (eventually illegally kicked out by jackson) Assimilation faded by 1830s- idea became just push them west of mississippi. In way again when americans moved further west- began setting aside areas of land no one else wanted for indians. Get rid of european things, indians will be able to retake lands with gods" help. Bring buffalo back (us gov"t exterminated many: reservation officials tried to crush movement- many decided to flee reservations.
