I want to know wy all the Native Americans were treated so bad in the past?

Question

All this happened in the 1870-1890 like Black Kettle at Sand Creek by colonial John Chivington.

Answer 1

Read about the "Monroe Doctrine", to summarize it, America was meant to be for the Americans, just not the native ones.

Answer 2

The reason that the Native Americans have been treated so bad is because the European empires that "conquered" america felt as though they were "uncivilised savages." Much of this was due to an ignorance about the culture and the ideals surrounding it. I feel as though if the europeans would have taken the time to try and understand the native americans rather than lust after the uncorrupted land that lay before them they would have viewed the whole thing differently. Sadly the fact that disease swept through many of the native american tribes and killed many, might have the europeans to believe that these were "inferior humans" would could not even resist simple illnesses.
Some of the settlers felt as though they were escaping to a land that might embrace them and accept there wasys of life, and those a Pilgrim rock may have found this with the native americans who taught them the ways of the land.
Unfortunately every society that is more "advanced" than another will sooner or later feel that the other is "lesser" and decide that they should not posses some of the things that the "higher" culture understands more.
This is apparent throughout history and across the globe.
One thing that baffles me is that much of europe, asia, and africa faced hardships, domination, conquering, and other things that left many as vassals to those who had invaded, but we hear nothing of repercussions or demands for the land that was taken, over and over by different countries and conquerors.
I am of european discent and feel as though I am ridculed for the actions that some of my ancestors "may" have taken part in, and feel that this is unjust. I am sorry for the way that things have turned out, but there is no reason to blame "whites" or anyone else for that matter, the past has occurred and we are in a new world, technology is the key to the future and will aid in the destruction of the separatist ways that have split the "races" apart in the past.

Answer 3

It came down to the sad truth that is always prevalent in our world: one group felt it was superior to the other, and thus deserved to take everything away. The Indians were "savages", and America needed the land. Therefore, the only logical conclusion was to drive the inferior race off the land.
Funny thing is, the Indians did not see it that way. They saw it as land they had been on and traveled over for generations and generations, far longer than these pushy settlers. So they did the only thing that they could do, they fought back.
But there is a motto that the man with the best gun wins. In this case, that was the white settlers and the American military, thus resulting in the horrible battles at Black Kettle and the like.

It was very wrong, but it is still being repeated across the world in different scenarios. The only way to change it is to recognize the simple fact: there is no such thing as a superior group.

Answer 4

Most people don't realize that there were a few generations of peace between the new comers and the natives. Contrary to what people here say, Native Americans actually created the first democracy (look up the League of Five Nations). The settlers wanted land, thought they had the god-given right to take it (social Darwinism - survival of the fittest, etc.) and had the technology to do what they wanted. They completely forgot the fact that they would never have been able to survive, explore and thrive without the thousands of Natives who helped them in good faith, only to have their women and children stolen and defiled. The so-called christian churches saw their way of life, closely tied to Mother Earth, as evil, and so helped the government in their systematic destruction of their way of life. Even their herbal remedies were condemned. It is still going on today.

Answer 5

This excerpt shows just how ridiculous and horrific were the decisions to massacre Native Americans.

"Governor John Evans of the Colorado Territory, had leaned on his connections in Washington and received permission to raise a new regiment for protection against marauding Indians. The possibility of peace offered by Black Kettle, White Antelope and other Cheyenne chiefs was not what Evans had in mind. Evans wanted to satisfy his constituents and had already commited himself to a course of action. He felt it would compromise his credibility with his connections in DC as well as betray the locals who desired to avoid conscription by joining a regiment to fight poorly armed Indians rather than well-seasoned Confederate troops. As the Governor explained, "They have been raised to kill Indians, and they must kill Indians.""

Basically, white settlers and leaders wanted the land where Native Americans had settled, especially when resources such as gold was found to be on the lands. It was greed pure and simple.

But Native Americans are still being treated badly with unfair stereotypes placed on them and discrimination. The U.S. government also creates an essentially incentive based segregation by encouraging Native Americans to live on reservations with supposed financial enticements.

Answer 6

First of all, they are not "native Americans". These people came from Asia, across the Bering Straights, so they are "native" to Asia, NOT America. Europeans came from Europe...are they "native" Americans? They were the first Americans, not "native Americans." Its amazing how there is such a need to glorify them this way. Why don't you ask yourself why they treated each other so cruelly. They stole each others land, horses, and women. They cut sinew out of a persons back while he was still alive. They tortured their enemies in the cruelest of ways. Quite "noble".

Answer 7

The bad treatment stopped?

It happened because both parties wished to remain separate and distinct societies and one simply had a severe population and technological advantage over the other. After that basic human nature prevailed. It's not really anymore complicated than that.

Answer 8

We call it ethnic cleansing now but they were in the way of greedy, violent immigrants who considered themselves racially superior and drove the indigenous people off their land. Those who would not go were massacred.
Americans has never recovered from this act of genocide and are still living in a society where they have to own guns to defend themselves from their fellow citizens.
They just don't trust each other.

Answer 9

GREED and the quest for power.

Greed for the land the Native Americans roamed and the power to control any and everything in sight.

Answer 10

Same reason various other groups were treated poorly. Lack of education and understanding plus a need for their land and resources.