Impact Of The Westward Expansion
The Westward Expansion took action in the late 1800’s. Many settlers were moving into the west and away from the south. This had a huge impact on Native Americans and the United States settlers including many conflicts and judgemental thoughts. This also impacted the way they continued to live the rest of their lives. The western territory settled when the Homestead Act took place. The United States government was giving away land to settlers who met requirements. The government plan was that, “any person who is head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and is a citizen of the United States, or who shall have filed his declaration of intention to become such… shall... be entitled to enter one quarter-section or
a less quantity of unappropriated public lands.” This act helped make it easier for people to move west and caused conflict between the natives and the settlers. The relationship between Native Americans and the United States government was very one sided. In the Indian report, “Colonel Chivington did, on the morning of the 29th of November last, surprise and attack said camp of friendly Indians and massacre a large number of them,” The United States used a very aggressive approach when they came in contact with the Natives. In addition to attacking, the United States saw the Indians as uncivilized. In the Powell Report, John Wesley Powell stated, “The Indians should not be furnished with tent; as long as they have tents they move about with great facility, and are thus encouraged to continue their nomadic life. As fast as possible houses should be built for them… It is unnecessary to mention the power which would have over the rising generation of Indians. Next to teaching them to work, the most important thing is to teach them the English Language.” They wanted to change the way the Indians had been living and make them civilized as if they were their own. The westward expansion impacted the life of American citizens and Native Americans. The American citizens took over the Natives land. They were extremely aggressive and changed the way the Natives would live. The American citizens over powered the Natives.
a less quantity of unappropriated public lands.” This act helped make it easier for people to move west and caused conflict between the natives and the settlers. The relationship between Native Americans and the United States government was very one sided. In the Indian report, “Colonel Chivington did, on the morning of the 29th of November last, surprise and attack said camp of friendly Indians and massacre a large number of them,” The United States used a very aggressive approach when they came in contact with the Natives. In addition to attacking, the United States saw the Indians as uncivilized. In the Powell Report, John Wesley Powell stated, “The Indians should not be furnished with tent; as long as they have tents they move about with great facility, and are thus encouraged to continue their nomadic life. As fast as possible houses should be built for them… It is unnecessary to mention the power which would have over the rising generation of Indians. Next to teaching them to work, the most important thing is to teach them the English Language.” They wanted to change the way the Indians had been living and make them civilized as if they were their own. The westward expansion impacted the life of American citizens and Native Americans. The American citizens took over the Natives land. They were extremely aggressive and changed the way the Natives would live. The American citizens over powered the Natives.