The Extraction of the American Native: How Westward Expansion Destroyed and Created Societies

Abstract

The Extraction of the American Native: How Westward Expansion Destroyed and Created Societies By Juan Francisco Pirir hen the first Europeans landed on the Americas in the 15 th century, they encoun- tered people already inhabiting this, so called, “New World.” These migrants soon established colonial settlements, which often led to territorial disputes and to the spreading of diseases that caused major epidemics among the indigenous population. In the colonies, many grew weary of their monarchic governments; thus, revolution against the European world emerged. The American Revolution, for example, declared its inde- pendence from the British Empire after several issues with the Royal Crown were not ad- dressed. Having won the revolution against the British, many Americans felt a great sense of nationalism for their victory. It was because of that victory that Americans were able to start over and create a government that would leave the European structure of power be- hind. This new democratic government called for both freedom and progress—ideals met by expanding westward into Native American territory. Events of the 19 th century deter- mined the fate of the Native American people such as the Sioux and Nez Perce. The lack of a centralized government within bands of natives and no clear representation of Native American territory fueled racial supremacy amongst American settlers, which ultimately provided justification of westward expansion and the seizing of native lands. Like many native tribes, the Nez Perce frequently interacted with white American settlers. In the interview An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce gave insight into the rising tensions between natives and non-natives in the early 19 th cen- tury North America. In this interview, the Chief talked about an encounter his father had with a white man named Reverend Spaulding. According to the Chief’s father, Reverend Spaulding shared the word of the “Spirit-Law” with the Nez Perce people in hope to con- vert them to Christianity. The interview then revealed what Chief’s father learned about the American settlers coming into Native American land. He recalls his father’s revelation of the white settler; “we soon found out that the white men were growing very rich very fast, and were greedy to possess everything the Indian had.” 1 The Nez Perce not only in- vited Reverend Spaulding into their band, they also allowed him to spread his religious practice among them. The perspective of Chief Joseph’s father provides a general overview of what many American settlers were trying to accomplish: converting the Natives into something more “civilized” with the use of their religion. This meeting between the rever- end and the Nez Perce also reveals the American settler’s ability to expand westward through religious practice. According to Chief Joseph’s account, the Nez Perce listened to Reverend Spauld- ing’s talk of the “Spirit Law” but as much as the reverend wanted to teach of his religion, would it have been possible for the Nez Perce to share their beliefs with the reverend? To that extent, could the belief systems of both native and non-natives have syncretized? Per- haps. But time, being the unpredictable entity that it is, did not allow such events to take course within this and other bands of American Natives. The spreading of Christianity be- came a powerful tool that would serve the colonists well when justifying their expansion W