- Cultural and behavioral differences made co-existence seem impossible to white Americans.
- Way of Life: They viewed the Indigenous nomadic hunting life as “belonging to the very of human existence”.
- Saw them as squalid, proud, and “lazy and lousy”.
- Tipis were described as “too full of smoke” and “inconceivably ”.
Environment: White Americans criticized the Indigenous acceptance and adaptation to their.
- Horace Greeley felt the Indigenous people “must die out” for not subduing and cultivating the land.
- White Americans believed only they could fully utilize the land.
Attitude to the Land – the :
- Preferred cultivation over hunting and desired fixed settlements.
- Believed God gave them the right to “subdue the earth”.
- Saw the land as a source of and believed in ownership, cultivation, and fencing.
- Initially deemed the Plains “unfit for cultivation,” but later felt entitled to take it as needed.
Religion: Christian Preachers claimed: “the Indians have no religion, only ignorant ”.
- Indigenous customs on marriage, polygamy, divorce, and exposure were seen as contrary to Christian .
Government: Based on “influence” rather than laws and compulsion, Indigenous Government confused white Americans, who thought they were “”.
- White Americans despised , the goal of Indigenous warfare, as it could mean life or death on the Plains.
Lack of Understanding: Most white Americans were of Indigenous lifestyles and had never met an Indigenous person; this led to fear, distrust, and negative stereotypes.
Enmity: Indigenous Warfare, especially ambush and stealth, was seen as and treachery by white Americans, who criticized Indigenous methods of avoiding open conflict as a “lack of courage”..
- Scalping was considered barbaric by white Americans.
- As conflict intensified, attitudes hardened, and white Americans increasingly refused to see any good in Indigenous people.
- Rooted in RACISM and SUPREMACISM from Manifest Destiny.
- Cultural and behavioral differences made co-existence seem impossible to white Americans.
- Way of Life: They viewed the Indigenous nomadic hunting life as “belonging to the very LOWEST AGES of human existence”.
- Saw them as squalid, proud, and “lazy and lousy”.
- Tipis were described as “too full of smoke” and “inconceivably FILTHY”.
Environment: White Americans criticized the Indigenous acceptance and adaptation to their.
- Horace Greeley felt the Indigenous people “must die out” for not subduing and cultivating the land.
- White Americans believed only they could fully utilize the land.
Attitude to the Land – the WAŠÍČU:
- Preferred cultivation over hunting and desired fixed settlements.
- Believed God gave them the right to “subdue the earth”.
- Saw the land as a source of PROFIT and believed in ownership, cultivation, and fencing.
- Initially deemed the Plains “unfit for cultivation,” but later felt entitled to take it as needed.
Religion: Christian Preachers claimed: “the Indians have no religion, only ignorant SUPERSTITION”.
- Indigenous customs on marriage, polygamy, divorce, and exposure were seen as contrary to Christian MORALITY.
Government: Based on “influence” rather than laws and compulsion, Indigenous Government confused white Americans, who thought they were “WITHOUT GOVERNMENT”.
- White Americans despised HORSE STEALING, the goal of Indigenous warfare, as it could mean life or death on the Plains.
Lack of Understanding: Most white Americans were IGNORANT of Indigenous lifestyles and had never met an Indigenous person; this led to fear, distrust, and negative stereotypes.
Enmity: Indigenous Warfare, especially ambush and stealth, was seen as COWARDICE and treachery by white Americans, who criticized Indigenous methods of avoiding open conflict as a “lack of courage”..
- Scalping was considered barbaric by white Americans.
- As conflict intensified, attitudes hardened, and white Americans increasingly refused to see any good in Indigenous people.
