Native Americans and Westward Expansion

Native Americans and Westward Expansion Although the period in American history known as Westward Expansion brings to mind covered wagons of settlers moving to develop open land in the West, the West had been settled, and explored, far before this era. In fact, during the colonial times, the French, Spanish, and even Russians, joined the British in exploring and colonizing the new world ("American Westward Movement" 2008). For the Americans, Westward expansion meant the furthering of a nation, new business opportunities, and exotic lands. For the Native Americans, it meant tears.

The Native American reaction to Westward expansion and nation building was filled with sorrow. This is to be expected, based on what the Americans forced the Native Americans to give up so that they could expand. One of the precious resources that the Americans asked the Native Americans to give up was their land. The story of the Choctaw tribe is a prime example of this.

Although their first experience with Europeans resulted in a particularly bloody battle for the tribe, they actually aided the colonists turned Americans in the Creek war of 1813. Thus, they reacted in an accommodating fashion. But the tribe lived on the desired lands of the Mississippi River, and were forcibly removed. Although they reacted with sorrow, they also attempted to preserve their culture. For example, some even ground the bones of their ancestors and sewed them into their clothing (Watson 1999).

A similar story of Native American's peaceful reactions that were exploited by force is the history of Chief Joseph. This early recruit to Christianity was the chief mediator of peace between whites and his tribe, the Nez Perce, but when the tribe's land was taken, and the Native Americans were transferred to a reservation, the chief destroyed his symbols of American life and plunged his warriors into a miraculous series of battles ("Chief Joseph" 2001). Thus, Westward expansion was an opportunity for.