History of Native Americans
Origins and Early History
- Indigenous people of the U.S. except Hawaii; known as Native Americans, American Indians, Indigenous Americans.
- Name "Indian" given by Columbus, who thought he landed in the Indies.
- History began tens of thousands of years ago.
- Migration across Bering land bridge from Siberia to Alaska during the Ice Age.
- Spread southward into Mexico and beyond; by 1000 BC, covered nearly the entire continent.
- Developed diverse languages and civilizations over time.
Development of Societies
- Tribes formed by using natural resources.
- Cultivated crops like corn and squash; raised animals such as turkeys, llamas, guinea pigs.
- Hunted deer, bison, sea mammals, and caught fish using efficient methods.
- Mound building marked centers of governance; mounds used for palaces, temples, and burial sites.
- Cities comparable in size to those in Europe and Asia, with admired architecture.
European Contact and Impact
- Post-1492 European exploration and colonization changed perceptions of Old and New Worlds.
- Initial contact in Florida and Gulf Coast by Spanish explorers.
- Population decline from 16th to 19th centuries; largely due to epidemic diseases like measles, chickenpox, cholera.
- Columbian Exchange introduced new species; horse became significant to Native American life.
Colonial and U.S. Expansion
- Colonization for farmland and settlement; led to conflicts with Native tribes.
- During American Revolution, Native Americans mostly sided with British.
- U.S. expansion led to treaty negotiations for land, often conflicting with state and settler interests.
U.S. Policies and Conflicts
- Post-Revolution policy aimed to 'civilize' Native Americans (Civilization Fund Act of 1819).
- Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to Trail of Tears.
- Ongoing conflicts in the 19th century, termed Indian Wars (e.g., Dakota War, Great Sioux War).
- Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 marked a significant and tragic event.
20th Century Developments
- 1919: Citizenship granted to Native Americans who served in WWI.
- Continued discrimination and voting barriers.
- 1924: Indian Citizenship Act granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans.
- Ongoing controversies over federal jurisdiction, tribal sovereignty, and cultural practices.
Note: This summary is based on a lecture transcript on Native American history. For further details, review comprehensive historical texts or relevant academic resources.