Editing Amerindian Genocide
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{{Important}} | {{Important}} | ||
{{Act of Villainy | {{Act of Villainy | ||
|name = | |name = Evil Acts | ||
| | |Image = California skulls.jpg | ||
|perpetrator = Spanish Empire<br>Portuguese Empire<br>British Empire<br>French Empire<br>Russian | |perpetrator = Spanish Empire<br>Portuguese Empire<br>British Empire<br>French Empire<br>Russian Empire<br>Mexican government<br>Canadian government<br>United States government<br>Argentine government<br>Chilean government<br>Brazilian government<br>Paraguayan government<br>Uruguayan government<br>Guatemalan government<br>[[Paxton Boys]]<br>[[Confederate States of America]] | ||
|date = October 12, 1492 - | |date = October 12, 1492 - October 12, 1997 | ||
|location = | |location = Americas | ||
|motive = Enslave the Native population and use them to find gold<br>Gain the land of Native tribes<br>Impose "superior" cultural values on the Native Americans | |motive = Enslave the Native population and use them to find gold<br>Gain the land of Native tribes<br>Impose "superior" cultural values on the Native Americans | ||
|crimes = [[Crimes against humanity]]<br>[[Genocide]]<br>[[War crimes]]<br>[[ | |crimes = [[Crimes against humanity]]<br>[[Genocide]]<br>[[War crimes]]<br>Mass [[murder]]<br>[[Slavery]]<br>[[Rape]]<br>[[Ethnic cleansing]]<br>Forced assimilation<br>[[Hate Speech]]<br>[[Blood quantum]]<br>[[Anti-Native American Sentiment]]<br>[[Negrophobia]]<br>[[Xenophobia]]<br>[[Misogyny]]<br>[[Propaganda]]<br>[[Torture]]}}{{Quote|It is also apparent that the shared history of the hemisphere is one framed by the dual tragedies of genocide and slavery, both of which are part of the legacy of the European invasions of the past 500 years. Indigenous people north and south were displaced, died of disease, and were killed by Europeans through slavery, rape, and war.|Excerpt from ''American Philosophy: From Wounded Knee to the Present''.}} | ||
The '''Amerindian Genocide''', AKA the '''Native American Genocide''', the '''American Indian Genocide''' or the '''American Indian Holocaust''' and sometimes known as the '''Conquest of America''', is a blanket term for the various atrocities carried out against indigenous peoples of North and South America from their discovery right up to the | The '''Amerindian Genocide''', AKA the '''Native American Genocide''', the '''American Indian Genocide''' or the '''American Indian Holocaust''' and sometimes known as the '''Conquest of America''', is a blanket term for the various atrocities carried out against indigenous peoples of North and South America from their discovery right up to the 20th Century. It is considered to be the foremost example of [[Genocide of Indigenous Peoples|genocide of indigenous peoples]] and being considered by many historians to be the largest and the worst genocide in history, surpassing even [[The Holocaust]] in scale and numbers of death. It began in October 12, 1492, when the Americas were discovered by the Spanish Empire, and continued well into the 20th century in various different forms and nations. It is estimated a total of 100,000,000 Amerindian people died, with one of the biggest causes of death being [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_smallpox#Epidemics_in_the_Americas illnesses such as smallpox, with some estimates placing 90% of the deaths as a result of the epidemic introduced by European settlers.] | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Genocide in the Caribbean=== | ===Genocide in the Caribbean=== | ||
==== | ==== ''[[Encomienda]]'' ==== | ||
When [[Christopher Columbus]] first landed in Mesoamerica in 1494, he took several members of the Arawak tribe captive in the hope that they could lead him to gold. Upon writing to King Ferdinand of Spain of his discovery, Columbus was granted permission to enslave the native population and use them to find gold. Columbus's troops immediately set about raping, killing and [[Torture|torturing]] in an attempt to force the natives to tell them where the gold was. Columbus organized several groups of armed men to search for the non-existent gold, leading to the deaths of thousands of sick and unarmed natives. Captives were used for sword practice, with Columbus's soldiers attempting to decapitate them or cut them in half with one blow. The situation was so extreme that about 50,000 Taíno natives chose to commit suicide rather than live under Spanish rule. | When [[Christopher Columbus]] first landed in Mesoamerica in 1494, he took several members of the Arawak tribe captive in the hope that they could lead him to gold. Upon writing to King Ferdinand of Spain of his discovery, Columbus was granted permission to enslave the native population and use them to find gold. Columbus's troops immediately set about raping, killing and [[Torture|torturing]] in an attempt to force the natives to tell them where the gold was. Columbus organized several groups of armed men to search for the non-existent gold, leading to the deaths of thousands of sick and unarmed natives. Captives were used for sword practice, with Columbus's soldiers attempting to decapitate them or cut them in half with one blow. The situation was so extreme that about 50,000 Taíno natives chose to commit suicide rather than live under Spanish rule. | ||
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After approximately three million natives were killed, the Spanish colonial authorities reformed their approach, adopting the [[Encomienda|''encomienda'']] system; a system of slavery wherein certain grant holders were awarded a monopoly on the labor of certain groups. Natives were allocated to certain ''encomiendero'' and put to work mining for gold. This ended up being deadlier than traditional slavery because there was no incentive to keep the native slaves alive as they could be replaced for free, resulting in the Spanish abusing and killing the native slaves regularly. The ''encomienda'' system has been described by modern historians as explicitly genocidal, because it resulted in the intentional deaths of millions and the eradication of potentially thousands of native cultures. | After approximately three million natives were killed, the Spanish colonial authorities reformed their approach, adopting the [[Encomienda|''encomienda'']] system; a system of slavery wherein certain grant holders were awarded a monopoly on the labor of certain groups. Natives were allocated to certain ''encomiendero'' and put to work mining for gold. This ended up being deadlier than traditional slavery because there was no incentive to keep the native slaves alive as they could be replaced for free, resulting in the Spanish abusing and killing the native slaves regularly. The ''encomienda'' system has been described by modern historians as explicitly genocidal, because it resulted in the intentional deaths of millions and the eradication of potentially thousands of native cultures. | ||
==== | ====[[Kalinago Genocide]]==== | ||
The Caribbean island of Saint Kitts was colonized by British, French and Irish settlers in 1623, upsetting the native Kalinago tribe. The Kalinago chief [[Tegremond]] began plotting to kill the settlers in 1626 out of fear they would | The Caribbean island of Saint Kitts was colonized by British, French and Irish settlers in 1623, upsetting the native Kalinago tribe. The Kalinago chief [[Tegremond]] began plotting to kill the settlers in 1626 out of fear they would massacre his people. However, the settlers were informed and decided to take pre-emptive action against the natives. | ||
Tegremond and other Kalinago were invited to a feast, where the settlers got them drunk before allowing them to return to their village. The settlers then attacked the village and killed 120 Kalinago, including Tegremond, while they were in a drunken stupor. The following day, 4,000 Kalinago were rounded up and forced up to what is now known as Bloody Point. The Kalinago fought back, leading to the killings of half of the captives. The other 2,000 managed to escape into the mountains, where they were hunted down and either enslaved or forcibly removed to Dominica. | |||
===Genocide in Mexico and Central America=== | ===Genocide in Mexico and Central America=== | ||
==== [[Spanish | ==== [[Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire]] ==== | ||
An army of Spanish conquistadors led by [[Hernán Cortés]] led an invasion of the Aztec Empire, resulting in a two-year war between the Spaniards and the Aztecs. Cortés also recruited several indigenous allies that happened to be enemies of the Aztec Empire, such as the Tlaxcaltecs to assist in his invasion. Although Cortés managed to convince Emperor Montezuma II to surrender peacefully, he quickly left Tenochtitlan to deal with Pánfilo Narvez challenging his command, leaving several conquistadors and Tlaxcaltec rulers in charge. When Cortés returned, he discovered that the Aztecs are on the brink of rebellion after the subordinates he left in charge had massacred several Aztec chiefs. When Cortés tried to flee the city with the Aztecs' gold, many conquistadors drowned in Lake Texcoco, in what's known as the "Night of Sadness". Eventually, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan and invaded the city, to which they managed to successfully conquer Tenochtitlan, execute Emperor Cuauhtémoc, and rule the empire. | An army of Spanish conquistadors led by [[Hernán Cortés]] led an invasion of the Aztec Empire, resulting in a two-year war between the Spaniards and the Aztecs. Cortés also recruited several indigenous allies that happened to be enemies of the Aztec Empire, such as the Tlaxcaltecs to assist in his invasion. Although Cortés managed to convince Emperor Montezuma II to surrender peacefully, he quickly left Tenochtitlan to deal with Pánfilo Narvez challenging his command, leaving several conquistadors and Tlaxcaltec rulers in charge. When Cortés returned, he discovered that the Aztecs are on the brink of rebellion after the subordinates he left in charge had massacred several Aztec chiefs. When Cortés tried to flee the city with the Aztecs' gold, many conquistadors drowned in Lake Texcoco, in what's known as the "Night of Sadness". Eventually, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan and invaded the city, to which they managed to successfully conquer Tenochtitlan, execute Emperor Cuauhtémoc, and rule the empire. | ||
==== [[Spanish | ==== [[Spanish conquest of the Maya]] ==== | ||
Starting in 1524, Spanish conquistadors such as [[Pedro de Alvarado]] and [[Francisco de Montejo]] began a series of invasions against the Mayan civilization. Unlike the conquest of the Aztec Empire under Hernán Cortés, which took over two years to successfully conquer, the conquest of the Mayan civilization took over seven decades, due to the conquistadors' unfamiliarity with the environment and the fact that the Mayan civilization consisted of separate kingdoms | Starting in 1524, Spanish conquistadors such as [[Pedro de Alvarado]] and [[Francisco de Montejo]] began a series of invasions against the Mayan civilization. Unlike the conquest of the Aztec Empire under Hernán Cortés, which took over two years to successfully conquer, the conquest of the Mayan civilization took over seven decades, due to the conquistadors' unfamiliarity with the environment and the fact that the Mayan civilization consisted of separate kingdoms instead of one unified empire. As the conquistadors and their indigenous allies invaded and plundered the cities over time, many Mayan civilians were subjected to slavery under the ''encomienda'' system and were forced to convert to Christianity. | ||
==== Spanish | ==== [[Spanish conquest of Honduras]] ==== | ||
After Christopher Columbus claimed Honduras for Spain during his final voyage in 1502, the conquistadors began colonizing the area | After Christopher Columbus claimed Honduras for Spain during his final voyage in 1502, the conquistadors began colonizing the area in 1524. The indigenous peoples living in the area led a war of resistance against the Spaniards that lasted fifteen years until the war ended with the defeat of the Lenca leader, Lempira. The natives were then subjected to slavery via the ''encomienda'' system and many were sold to slave owners in Panama and the Caribbean. | ||
====Campaign against Apaches==== | ====Campaign against Apaches==== | ||
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It is estimated that around 80 tribal groups residing in Brazil were wiped out to extinction within the first half of the 20th century. In other cases, encroachment by loggers and cattle ranchers led to outright massacres against uncontacted tribes to the point of near extinction, such as an Ankutsu tribe being massacred by a party of cattle ranchers in 1990, leaving only seven survivors and the village being bulldozed by FUNAI agents to conceal the evidence. To this day, encroachment into the Amazon rainforest by miners and loggers continues to threaten the cultural way of life for the indigenous peoples of Brazil. | It is estimated that around 80 tribal groups residing in Brazil were wiped out to extinction within the first half of the 20th century. In other cases, encroachment by loggers and cattle ranchers led to outright massacres against uncontacted tribes to the point of near extinction, such as an Ankutsu tribe being massacred by a party of cattle ranchers in 1990, leaving only seven survivors and the village being bulldozed by FUNAI agents to conceal the evidence. To this day, encroachment into the Amazon rainforest by miners and loggers continues to threaten the cultural way of life for the indigenous peoples of Brazil. | ||
==== [[Spanish | ==== [[Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire]] ==== | ||
In 1532, an army of conquistadors led by [[Francisco Pizarro]] began an invasion of the Inca Empire. Pizarro was successful in raiding the Inca Empire's gold and silver and killing the last emperor, | In 1532, an army of conquistadors led by [[Francisco Pizarro]] began an invasion of the Inca Empire. Pizarro was successful in raiding the Inca Empire's gold and silver and killing the last emperor, Atahualpa. Afterwards, the Neo-Inca State was established with Manco Inca becoming the new emperor. In 1541, Pizarro was murdered by [[Diego de Almargo II]], who would later murder Manco Inca three years later. In 1572, [[Francisco Toledo]] managed to successfully crush the resistance of the Neo-Inca State before capturing Emperor Túpac Amaru I and executing him. | ||
==== [[Spanish | ==== [[Spanish conquest of the Muisca]] ==== | ||
The Spanish conquest of the Muisca Confederation was part of a series of colonization of the Intermediate Area, in which the Chibchan nations residing in Central America and northern Colombia were annexed by the Spanish Empire. The acquisition of the Muisca Confederation was led by several conquistadors such as [[Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada]] and his brother, [[Hernán Pérez de Quesada]]. The conquistadors established settlements in the region such as the New Kingdom of Grenada and subjected the Muisca to slavery via the ''encomienda'' system. The war ended in 1940 when the last ruler, Aquiminzaque was decapitated and the confederation was annexed under Spanish rule. | The Spanish conquest of the Muisca Confederation was part of a series of colonization of the Intermediate Area, in which the Chibchan nations residing in Central America and northern Colombia were annexed by the Spanish Empire. The acquisition of the Muisca Confederation was led by several conquistadors such as [[Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada]] and his brother, [[Hernán Pérez de Quesada]]. The conquistadors established settlements in the region such as the New Kingdom of Grenada and subjected the Muisca to slavery via the ''encomienda'' system. The war ended in 1940 when the last ruler, Aquiminzaque was decapitated and the confederation was annexed under Spanish rule. | ||
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==== [[Pacification of Araucania]] ==== | ==== [[Pacification of Araucania]] ==== | ||
Similar to Argentina's Conquest of the Desert, the Chilean occupation of Araucania was a campaign of territorial expansion to colonize Patagonia and annex Mapuche territories. The Chilean conquest led to many Mapuches getting killed in war and dying of foreign diseases such as smallpox. The occupation also led to the Mapuches being left in a state of poverty for generations | Similar to Argentina's Conquest of the Desert, the Chilean occupation of Araucania was a campaign of territorial expansion to colonize Patagonia and annex Mapuche territories. The Chilean conquest led to many Mapuches getting killed in war and dying of foreign diseases such as smallpox. The occupation also led to the Mapuches being left in a state of poverty for generations. | ||
==== [[Selk'nam Genocide]] ==== | ==== [[Selk'nam Genocide]] ==== | ||
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The Peruvian government ceded to the [[Peruvian Amazon Company]] the Amazon territories north of Loreto, after the company's founder [[Julio César Arana]] purchased the land. Shortly after, private hosts of Arana – brought from Barbados – which consisted of forcing Amerindians to work for him in exchange for "favors and protection", with the offer being unable to deny as disagreements led to their [[kidnapping]] by mercenaries paid by the company. The Amerindians were subjected to isolation processes in remote areas to collect rubber in inhuman conditions and if they did not meet the required amount, they were punished with death or were disappeared in "distant camps" where ninety percent of the affected Amazonian populations were annihilated. | The Peruvian government ceded to the [[Peruvian Amazon Company]] the Amazon territories north of Loreto, after the company's founder [[Julio César Arana]] purchased the land. Shortly after, private hosts of Arana – brought from Barbados – which consisted of forcing Amerindians to work for him in exchange for "favors and protection", with the offer being unable to deny as disagreements led to their [[kidnapping]] by mercenaries paid by the company. The Amerindians were subjected to isolation processes in remote areas to collect rubber in inhuman conditions and if they did not meet the required amount, they were punished with death or were disappeared in "distant camps" where ninety percent of the affected Amazonian populations were annihilated. | ||
==== | ==== Genocide in Paraguay ==== | ||
The genocide of indigenous peoples in Paraguay took place between 1956 and 1989 under the presidency of General [[Alfredo Stroessner]]. The Aché in particular were subjected to killings and ethnic cleansing by loggers, miners and farmers. It is estimated that around 900 Aché people were killed, amounting to to 85% of the population. The notion of whether or not the systematic killings of the Paraguayan natives amounted to genocide is debated by historians. | The genocide of indigenous peoples in Paraguay took place between 1956 and 1989 under the presidency of General [[Alfredo Stroessner]]. The Aché in particular were subjected to killings and ethnic cleansing by loggers, miners and farmers. It is estimated that around 900 Aché people were killed, amounting to to 85% of the population. The notion of whether or not the systematic killings of the Paraguayan natives amounted to genocide is debated by historians. | ||
===Genocide in the United States and Canada=== | |||
===Genocide in the United States | |||
====Extinction of the Beothuk==== | ====Extinction of the Beothuk==== | ||
The Canadian Beothuk people of Newfoundland became extinct in 1829. Initially co-existing with English settlers, the Beothuk had been forced off their fisheries and hunting grounds in the 17th Century, leading to starvation. The Beothuk’s attempts to reclaim these lands resulted in an all-out war during which the Beothuk were hunted down and killed. The colonial government attempted to mitigate this by putting out a reward for capturing Beothuk alive, but this just lead to more killing as settlers slaughtered any Beothuk who resisted capture. The last few Beothuk died of tuberculosis introduced by the settlers in captivity. | The Canadian Beothuk people of Newfoundland became extinct in 1829. Initially co-existing with English settlers, the Beothuk had been forced off their fisheries and hunting grounds in the 17th Century, leading to starvation. The Beothuk’s attempts to reclaim these lands resulted in an all-out war during which the Beothuk were hunted down and killed. The colonial government attempted to mitigate this by putting out a reward for capturing Beothuk alive, but this just lead to more killing as settlers slaughtered any Beothuk who resisted capture. The last few Beothuk died of tuberculosis introduced by the settlers in captivity. | ||
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==== [[Sullivan Expedition]] ==== | ==== [[Sullivan Expedition]] ==== | ||
In 1779, during the | In 1779, during the American Revolutionary War, American generals [[John Sullivan]] and [[James Clinton]] conducted a series of attacks on Iroquoian villages by employing scorched earth tactics to destroy their crops and villages. The expedition was enacted under the orders of George Washington to put an end to attacks by Iroquoian people and Loyalists sympathetic to the British and was mostly done in retaliation to the [[Cherry Valley massacre]] of 1778. After the expedition, the economy of the Iroquois Confederacy was severely devastated and many people died from disease. | ||
====[[Gnadenhutten Massacre]]==== | ====[[Gnadenhutten Massacre]]==== | ||
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Once all the Moravian Indians had gathered, the militia confiscated their guns and axes (which they used for hunting), tied them up and announced that they had been found guilty of false charges of [[murder]] and espionage. The militia voted in favor of killing them (with the exception of eighteen who refused to take part in the massacre) before taking them to “killing houses” on 8 March where they were beaten, [[Scalping|scalped]] and hacked to death while singing hymns and praying. Many native women were [[Gang Rape|gang-raped]] by the militia before being killed. Overall, 96 Moravian Indian men, women and children were killed. The militia planned to commit another massacre at a nearby Moravian Indian settlement but the inhabitants were alerted to the events at Gnadenhutten and fled before the militia arrived. | Once all the Moravian Indians had gathered, the militia confiscated their guns and axes (which they used for hunting), tied them up and announced that they had been found guilty of false charges of [[murder]] and espionage. The militia voted in favor of killing them (with the exception of eighteen who refused to take part in the massacre) before taking them to “killing houses” on 8 March where they were beaten, [[Scalping|scalped]] and hacked to death while singing hymns and praying. Many native women were [[Gang Rape|gang-raped]] by the militia before being killed. Overall, 96 Moravian Indian men, women and children were killed. The militia planned to commit another massacre at a nearby Moravian Indian settlement but the inhabitants were alerted to the events at Gnadenhutten and fled before the militia arrived. | ||
====[[The Trail of Tears]]==== | ====[[The Trail of Tears]]==== | ||
On 28 May 1830, President [[Andrew Jackson]] signed into law the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the US government to confiscate Native American land. The Act was strongly enforced under Jackson’s presidency and that of his successor, [[Martin Van Buren]]. | On 28 May 1830, President [[Andrew Jackson]] signed into law the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the US government to confiscate Native American land. The Act was strongly enforced under Jackson’s presidency and that of his successor, [[Martin Van Buren]]. | ||
Under the Indian Removal Act, the government had a mandate to remove 50,000 Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole and Chickasaw people from their homeland and seize it for themselves. No means of transportation were provided after the Natives were removed, meaning they were forced to walk 2,200 miles to Indian reservations. 4,000 deaths were reported on one march alone, and estimates of the total death toll range from 5,000 to 25,000. Others Natives were herded into concentration camps until new land was found for then to settle on, but this was generally used as a last resort | Under the Indian Removal Act, the government had a mandate to remove 50,000 Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole and Chickasaw people from their homeland and seize it for themselves. No means of transportation were provided after the Natives were removed, meaning they were forced to walk 2,200 miles to Indian reservations. 4,000 deaths were reported on one march alone, and estimates of the total death toll range from 5,000 to 25,000. Others Natives were herded into concentration camps until new land was found for then to settle on, but this was generally used as a last resort. | ||
====[[Long Walk of the Navajo]]==== | ====[[Long Walk of the Navajo]]==== | ||
In 1864, after a Navajo tribe led by Chief Manuelito were defeated by the U.S. Army with the help of a Ute tribe, they were forced to walk 300 miles from their ancestral homelands in Arizona to | In 1864, after a Navajo tribe led by Chief Manuelito were defeated by the U.S. Army with the help of a Ute tribe, they were forced to walk 300 miles from their ancestral homelands in Arizona to eastern New Mexico. The U.S. soldiers were complicit in the suffering of the Navajo during the Long Walk. Several women who struggled to keep up were mercifully killed by the soldiers based on oral accounts from the survivors. The Navajo were also subjected to slavery after being captured by New Mexican and Ute raiders. It is estimated that about 200 Navajo people died on the Long Walk. | ||
====[[Wounded Knee Massacre]]==== | ====[[Wounded Knee Massacre]]==== | ||
Based on the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, the U.S. government was able to convince the Lakota tribe to move to the Great Sioux Reservation in return for less inhumane treatment. At around this time, the Sioux took up the "Ghost Dance" religion, which taught that loving each other, working hard and not stealing or fighting would lead to the reunion of the living and the dead and the sweeping away of evil. White authorities, alarmed by this new religion, began arresting Lakota leaders, leading to many Lakota attempting to flee the reservation. | Based on the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, the U.S. government was able to convince the Lakota tribe to move to the Great Sioux Reservation in return for less inhumane treatment. At around this time, the Sioux took up the "Ghost Dance" religion, which taught that loving each other, working hard and not stealing or fighting would lead to the reunion of the living and the dead and the sweeping away of evil. White authorities, alarmed by this new religion, began arresting Lakota leaders, leading to many Lakota attempting to flee the reservation. | ||
On December 29, 1890, the Seventh Cavalry Unit, lead by [[James W. Forsyth]] and acting on orders from President [[Benjamin Harrison]], intercepted a group led by Chief Spotted Elk as they were fleeing the reservation. Forsyth announced that they were to surrender all their weapons, but one deaf-mute man, Black Coyote, did not understand his orders and failed to put down his rifle. The soldiers attempted to take the rifle from Black Coyote, causing it to discharge. The panicked soldiers immediately opened fire on the unarmed Lakota, some of whom attempted to retrieve their guns in self-defense, which was used to justify the massacre. Women and children fled and took cover in a nearby ravine, but were killed when Forsyth ordered light artillery positioned on the hill to fire on their position. It is estimated that around 300 Lakota were killed in the massacre | On December 29, 1890, the Seventh Cavalry Unit, lead by [[James W. Forsyth]] and acting on orders from President [[Benjamin Harrison]], intercepted a group led by Chief Spotted Elk as they were fleeing the reservation. Forsyth announced that they were to surrender all their weapons, but one deaf-mute man, Black Coyote, did not understand his orders and failed to put down his rifle. The soldiers attempted to take the rifle from Black Coyote, causing it to discharge. The panicked soldiers immediately opened fire on the unarmed Lakota, some of whom attempted to retrieve their guns in self-defense, which was used to justify the massacre. Women and children fled and took cover in a nearby ravine, but were killed when Forsyth ordered light artillery positioned on the hill to fire on their position. It is estimated that around 300 Lakota were killed in the massacre. | ||
====Assimilation policies==== | ====Assimilation policies==== | ||
The [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] pursued a policy of cultural assimilation of Native Americans under the Dawes Act of 1887. Based on [[Richard Pratt]]'s ideology of "kill the Indian and save the man", the BIA forcibly enrolled Native American children in "Indian boarding schools" (most infamously [[Carlisle Indian Industrial School]]) where they were banned from speaking their native language and practicing their religion. Children were harshly disciplined if they refused to assimilate into white culture and many died. Parents who refused to give up their children were incarcerated. This policy of cultural genocide finally ended in 1934 when the failures of the policy became clear and the schools were all closed. | The [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] pursued a policy of cultural assimilation of Native Americans under the Dawes Act of 1887. Based on [[Richard Pratt]]'s ideology of "kill the Indian and save the man", the BIA forcibly enrolled Native American children in "Indian boarding schools" (most infamously [[Carlisle Indian Industrial School]]) where they were banned from speaking their native language and practicing their religion. Children were harshly disciplined if they refused to assimilate into white culture and many died. Parents who refused to give up their children were incarcerated. This policy of cultural genocide finally ended in 1934 when the failures of the policy became clear and the schools were all closed. | ||
The Canadian government pursued the same policy with the [[Canadian Indian residential school system]] which was designed to forcibly assimilate native children into | The Canadian government pursued the same policy with the [[Canadian Indian residential school system]] which was designed to forcibly assimilate native children into white culture. These schools were even more brutal than the American ones, with many acts of physical, mental and sexual abuse being committed against the children. Thousands of children died due to poor treatment until the system was closed down in 1997, and mass graves are still being uncovered today. | ||
====[[Indian termination|Indian termination policy]]==== | ====[[Indian termination|Indian termination policy]]==== | ||
"Indian termination" is a phrase describing United States policies relating to Native Americans from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s. It was shaped by a series of laws and practices with the intent of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society. Cultural assimilation of Native Americans was not new; the belief that indigenous people should abandon their traditional lives and become what the government considers "civilized" had been the basis of policy for centuries. What was new, however, was the sense of urgency that, with or without consent, tribes must be terminated and begin to live "as Americans." To that end, Congress set about ending the special relationship between tribes and the federal government. | "Indian termination" is a phrase describing United States policies relating to Native Americans from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s. It was shaped by a series of laws and practices with the intent of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society. Cultural assimilation of Native Americans was not new; the belief that indigenous people should abandon their traditional lives and become what the government considers "civilized" had been the basis of policy for centuries. What was new, however, was the sense of urgency that, with or without consent, tribes must be terminated and begin to live "as Americans." To that end, Congress set about ending the special relationship between tribes and the federal government. | ||
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====Forced sterilization==== | ====Forced sterilization==== | ||
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Indian Health Service performed thousands of sterilizations on Native American women between the ages of 15 and 44, with 3,406 women being sterilized between 1973 and 1976. Most of these sterilizations were performed without informed consent, with the women being either tricked into thinking the process was reversible, blackmailed into consenting with threats of losing welfare or simply forced to undergo the procedure with no prior knowledge. This was part of a wider policy of [[eugenics]] which also included African-Americans and the poor. It was halted in 1976 when the General Accountability Office found the sterilizations to be noncompliant with IHS ethics and policy and declared a moratorium on all sterilization procedures. | During the 1960s and 1970s, the Indian Health Service performed thousands of sterilizations on Native American women between the ages of 15 and 44, with 3,406 women being sterilized between 1973 and 1976. Most of these sterilizations were performed without informed consent, with the women being either tricked into thinking the process was reversible, blackmailed into consenting with threats of losing welfare or simply forced to undergo the procedure with no prior knowledge. This was part of a wider policy of [[eugenics]] which also included African-Americans and the poor. It was halted in 1976 when the General Accountability Office found the sterilizations to be noncompliant with IHS ethics and policy and declared a moratorium on all sterilization procedures. | ||
[[Category:Villainous Event]] | [[Category:Villainous Event]] | ||
[[Category:United States of America]] | [[Category:United States of America]] |