The Biggest Challenge Faced by Native American Groups in the Mid-1800s: A Comprehensive Exploration of Oppression and Resistance

Avoiding the Typical Cliché: The oft-parroted refrain that Native American problems stem from the greed of white people, while in part true, oversimplifies the complex and multifaceted challenges faced by indigenous peoples during the 1850s and 1860s. Land dispossession, destruction of cultural heritage, and mass violence were central to the plight of Native American groups during this pivotal period in history.

Government Policies and Mass Violent Incidents

U.S. government policies and individual actions led to some of the most devastating consequences for Native American tribes. The pressure from federal authorities and state militias resulted in tragic events such as the massacre of Cheyenne and Arapaho at Sand Creek in Colorado. This event occurred when a militia, supported by the U.S. government, attacked a gathering of Native Americans, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, mostly women and children. This massacre is a stark example of the government's complicity in the violence against indigenous peoples.

Forced Removal and Dispossession

The Five Civilized Tribes—Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Seminole, and Choctaw—were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States. Before the Civil War, these tribes were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory now part of present-day Oklahoma. During and after the war, they continued to be stripped of their lands. By the end of the century, tribal governments were largely dissolved, and their land was distributed to white settlers, a process that continued until much of their historical lands were no longer in their control.

Buffalo Wars and Military Conflicts

Tribes on the Great Plains bore the brunt of the destruction of the buffalo herds and military conflicts with the U.S. Army. The loss of the buffalo not only deprived many tribes of a source of food and cultural significance but also weakened their ability to sustain life and resist displacement. The culmination of these conflicts was the Wounded Knee Massacre. This tragic event occurred in 1890 when the U.S. Army attacked a group of Lakota Sioux, resulting in numerous deaths, including many women and children. The Nez Perce and other tribes also faced significant military defeats and the near extinction of their cultural and community structures.

The Path to Extinction

By the end of the 19th century, government policymakers believed that the Native American way of life was largely in decline. The idea of a vanishing American Indian was not only a sentiment but also a policy. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 sought to reverse some of the worst practices of forced assimilation, but the damage had been done. The mid-1800s marked a turning point in American history, where the principles of respect and justice for Native American tribes were largely absent, leading to a legacy of oppression and suffering.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by Native American groups in the mid-1800s were complex and varied, but they can be traced back to a pattern of dispossession and violence. From the forced removal of the Five Civilized Tribes to the destruction of the buffalo and the military conflicts with the U.S. Army, the actions of the U.S. government and its authorities had severe and lasting impacts on Native American communities. Understanding this history is crucial for recognizing the ongoing struggles and traumas experienced by Native American peoples and for addressing these challenges in modern times.