Overview
This lecture details the systematic genocide of Native Americans in California between 1846 and 1873, covering its causes, mechanisms, and ongoing impact on Native communities and policy.
Historical Background
- California's Native population faced genocide after U.S. statehood, not merely by disease, but by state-sanctioned violence.
- White militias, backed by law and public support, massacred thousands of Native Americans.
- Starvation, slavery, and intentionally neglectful laws also contributed to population collapse.
Ideological Foundations
- Manifest Destiny promoted U.S. expansion as a divine right, justifying conquest of indigenous lands.
- Widespread racism depicted Native Americans as inferior, rationalizing violence and dispossession.
Gold Rush and Land Seizure
- The 1848 Gold Rush drove tens of thousands west, creating violent competition for land and resources.
- U.S. government offered land cheaply, creating incentives for settlers to displace Native populations.
- By 60 years after 1848, California’s Native population dropped by nearly 90%.
Mechanisms of Genocide
- Local militias repeatedly massacred Native villages; killings were often financially reimbursed by state and federal government.
- Bounties were paid for Indian scalps and heads, making murder profitable.
- Voting and legislative actions by citizens funded and encouraged extermination campaigns.
- Laws barred Native Americans from testifying against whites in court, removing legal protections.
Indian Slavery and Legal Oppression
- "Act for the Government and Protection of Indians" enabled legal enslavement and kidnapping of Native Americans.
- As many as 20,000 California Natives were enslaved or forced into labor/apprenticeships.
- Separation from families, culture, and community furthered the genocide.
Broken Treaties and Reservations
- Eighteen treaties negotiated with tribes in 1850 were never ratified and kept secret for decades.
- Reservations established were mismanaged, corrupt, and led to starvation and disease.
- Government agents embezzled resources; Native labor was exploited.
Continuing Relevance
- Native communities still seek justice, cultural renewal, sovereignty, and recognition.
- Honest assessment of history is crucial for fair policy decisions today.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Genocide — Systematic destruction of a people, as defined by 1948 UN Convention.
- Manifest Destiny — Ideology that U.S. expansion across North America was justified and inevitable.
- Militia — Armed volunteer groups, often organized locally, that carried out attacks on Native Americans.
- Reservation — Federal land designated for Native Americans, often with poor conditions and mismanagement.
- Indian Slavery — Systematic forced labor and kidnapping of Native Americans under legal pretenses.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the summary and main points for upcoming discussions or essays.
- Reflect on the historical impact of genocide on current Native American policy and rights.
- Optional: Further reading on California Native history, focusing on works by Benjamin Madley and Brendan Lindsay.