Why did the American Indians get robbed of their lands & treated so unfairly. There is'nt much said about it.

Question

I am 5% Native American and 95% European. I feel that a great wrong has taken place in our history that has stained the america today. The way the Europeans took over this land was genocide. They almost wiped out and indiginous people that took care of nature and was one with nature and did not waste. This land stayed pristine and the water was pure for thousands of years while they lived here. Now we can find trash dumps that look like mountains. And certain species of animals wiped out to extinction. And today all they get is a little piece of land to continue there culture and tradition. I think we should honor the American Indians more now than ever because they are still here and they are part of the human race which is our brothers. They walked probably where you stand in the contenential U.S. We should honor them with a holiday or give them larger lands. Maybe you can think of something I dont know.

I only got one good answer the last time I asked this question so I was hoping for a better one.

Answer 1

Just because Columbus and other Europeans called them Indians, doesn't mean they liked or still like to be called Indians, but we should have a day of honor for them in any case, and they should be able to vote on what they want the day to be called. Remember, they used to be on the penny. Many Americans have Indian ancestry, and I'm sure that many people look back on what was done to the Indians during the Trail of Tears and forced relocations as a bad solution. I believe the government could have done a better job than they did, but you can't criticize someone for the actions once they are dead. Everyone who has interest in the Indian plight may want to work on solutions to bring the Indians to light, like starting federally funded cultural centers, or doing other things to help us all remember that the Indians were here before the white man.

Answer 2

Why did it happen? Because the europeans had better war-making technology and superior numbers. They did it because they *could* do it, plain and simple. They didn't care about the rights of the natives to the land they were on, they wanted the land, they were more powerful, so they took it. Plain and simple.

For a long time there was a movement building among native americans to fight the government for more of their land back and more reparations. Most of that went away when native americans started opening casinos on their lands, and making millions of dollars in profits, taking away the economic incentive to go after the government for reparations. While I agree with you that it was a terrible injustice, *I* didn't have anything to do with it (and neither did my ancestors, who came from France and England after the indian wars were all over with), and the reality is it's too late to do anything about it now. The land I own now in Southern California was almost certainly once native american land, but the who and how are long lost in history, and the furthest back I can trace ownership is a spanish land grant to a "don" in the 1700's (so as you can see, it wasn't just the americans who took land from the native americans).

Really the important thing for native american tribes today is economics -- to have enough money to educate their children, have good services on their lands, and have a good life. Even 30 years ago it was still hard for them to do that -- the casinos have changed all that, and that seems to be enough for them, so it's enough for me.

Answer 3

The two greatest sins of American History is slavery and the treatment of American Indians.

With that being said, it was an inevitable result when a more technological advanced society comes in contact with a native population. That doesn't excuse it, but it's just the reality. I'm not saying our way of life is better, but their culture and traditions were ancient and most couldn't adapt to the European way of life.

Native Americans have reservations and are given certain things (casinos) and other things that other Americans don't have. But their culture stayed with us in the naming of states (Ohio), cities and rivers. I can't think of anything that needs to be done to further honor their past societies.

What happened to Native Americans was bad, but it was by no means unprecedented or totally Europeans fault. It's what happens when two different societies compete for resources.

If you want to read a good book the subject of technological development and competing cultures, read "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. I provided a link below to the book.

Answer 4

There is a lot said about it. Everyone learned about it in school and growing up about how their land was taken in such a wrong way. The people today have no control over what happened in the past, but I believe today we are trying harder and harder to make up for it. The indians do have their own land and reservations still to this day. What about all the jews? Their race of people was also almost completly wiped out because of a sick man, who I hate to say, was a great leader. What he lead I dont' believe in and is totally sick, but think about what he did. he got all those people to believe him and follow him. That's insane. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hornoring him, but it is crazy when you think about it. but I'm getting off the subject. This is a very touchy subject with many people and it can be argued on many different levels. What was done in the past is horrible, don't get me wrong. And today the united states is still improving on making changes to try and correct was done wrong in the past by our ansestors. (sp?) The person above me is right, there is a lot to learn and read up on about this issue. If you feel very strongly about this subject, perhaps you should definatly read more into the subject and find out some facts. It could possible make you feel better about the subject having a deeper knowledge on the subject. Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Good one!!
America is famous for hypocrisy! The plight of the American Indians is just another issue under the rug swept!
Look how big American mouths were about South African racism, since racism has been is "corrected" in South Africa, the Americans sit back sit back with a smug face and let the whole of Africa burn down while the black people kill each other and think of clever little plans like garlic against AIDS.

The American Indians will also just be forgotten and ignored by their government so they can just be assimilated by the American way of thinking...

Answer 6

Dude, that's old history. Why not to start lookign forward and think on the future instead of lookig back and complain. Bad was done, so be it. Do something good now, for tomorrow. There is more crap going on now. You are thinking too much in the past. Think in the future. Get some education so ou can be the next president and fix this country.

Answer 7

It's sad to say but the Native Americans "Indians" are a conquered nation(s). Still not right, but spoils to the victor. At this point in time it's would be better for "Indians" to fully acclimate into American society and effect changes though the political processes in place. You know "if you can't beat em join em" and let the mix of your/their culture influence the culture of the masses.

Answer 8

Guns, Germs, and Steel

The non-ending cycle of conquest which even the Native Americans took part in.

And quite A LOT has been said about it.

Answer 9

don't think it the kind of thing the government wants people to be aware of really how the American government stole the red Indians lands and hunted down the Buffalo the Indians lively hood.

Answer 10

In short - microbes imported from Europe.

95% of mesoamericans alive in 1519 were dead from European diseases (typhoid, bubonic and pneumonic plague, smallpox) a hundred years later.

The scattered, shattered remnants could never organize an effective resistance.