After the Revolutionary War, American newborn government began to exercise the compromise of justice and liberty addressed from the “Declaration of Independence” and “Bill or Right”. Beside the positive effects, the war left many consequences: high debt, tremendous poverty, political crisis and civil war temptation. One of the most negative effects was social segregation promoted by government’s policies to seek for new territories. Like other minority groups, Native American, Latino Americans and Asian American were manipulated by the westward expansion from which each shaped its own racial identity.
Americans used many policies to justify the Natives removal. Firstly, Americans negotiated with the Chickasaws to buy off their land but the Natives declined the offers. There were combats between the Americans and the Natives such as The Battle of Horse Shoe Bend, which led eight hundreds Creeks to death. President Andrew Jackson argued, “his solider were advancing civilization” (). He perceived himself as “father” who care and protect his Indian “children”. The president argued that the Natives couldn’t survive and succeed while living in white society and his justification was to civilize the Indians. In early 19th century, the federal government passed out the “land-allotment program” purposely transformed the Natives into farmer. Then, Choctaw treaty in 1805 gave Americans the rights to gain control of the Choctaw nation. In the book “A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America” author Takaki mentioned that: “Even after they had become property owners and producers for the market, the Choctaws were still not wanted in Mississippi, for they were wrong color, unable to cross the racial border and blend into Benjamin Franklin’s society of “the lovely White” (89 – 90). In fact, in a society of white dominant, the matter of skin color led the Natives fell isolated and unwelcomed within their society. Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek forced the Natives to give up their land to American and move to the west of Mississippi. In response to the treaty, Chief Ross’s petition with more than fifteen thousands Cherokees signatures was passed out but the rulers neglecting their demand and they instead sold the territories for white settlers, farmers and planters. When railroad construction required even more territory expansion, American now felt the need to get rid of the Indians. They purposely massacred buffalos which are Indian’ only way of living. A Pawnee bitterly proclaimed that: “To do what they [whites] called civilizing us… was to destroy us. You know they thought that changing us, getting rid of our old ways and language and names would make us like white men.” (104). For what they do to the Indians, American appeared as cheater or tyrants who can do anything to obtain their political purposes. The Mexicans are other minority group shaped their indigenous identity while being tormented by Americans. …show more content…
The Mexicans initially occupied a great part of California. However their peaceful life had changed when Americans came to the land. Seeing the tremendous economical benefit of this area: giving the supply for the Market Revolution, convenient harbor and port, Americans first set the “Bear Flag Republic” to obtain California from the Mexicans. Then, Mexican’ government passed laws to stop American immigrants waves. The tension between the twos rose high as Mexican-American war kicked off from which American offer the annexation of California. Later, according to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexicans sold the Southwest territories to Americans for $15 million. The Mexicans now felt hatred of the Americans. Author Takaki stated that: “Suddenly, they were “thrown among those who were strangers to their language, customs, laws, and habits.” (177). For the Mexicans, the American invasion not only troy their land but also their culture and. The Mexicans who decided to stay in America now became poor labors to work on railroads construction, cotton plantation and mines. It seems that never act upon their promise but use ruthless trick to cheat on people of color. However, the establishment of Japanese-Mexicans union was an example for how different races get together could be a threat to white supremacy. They proclaimed that: “Many of us
Americans used many policies to justify the Natives removal. Firstly, Americans negotiated with the Chickasaws to buy off their land but the Natives declined the offers. There were combats between the Americans and the Natives such as The Battle of Horse Shoe Bend, which led eight hundreds Creeks to death. President Andrew Jackson argued, “his solider were advancing civilization” (). He perceived himself as “father” who care and protect his Indian “children”. The president argued that the Natives couldn’t survive and succeed while living in white society and his justification was to civilize the Indians. In early 19th century, the federal government passed out the “land-allotment program” purposely transformed the Natives into farmer. Then, Choctaw treaty in 1805 gave Americans the rights to gain control of the Choctaw nation. In the book “A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America” author Takaki mentioned that: “Even after they had become property owners and producers for the market, the Choctaws were still not wanted in Mississippi, for they were wrong color, unable to cross the racial border and blend into Benjamin Franklin’s society of “the lovely White” (89 – 90). In fact, in a society of white dominant, the matter of skin color led the Natives fell isolated and unwelcomed within their society. Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek forced the Natives to give up their land to American and move to the west of Mississippi. In response to the treaty, Chief Ross’s petition with more than fifteen thousands Cherokees signatures was passed out but the rulers neglecting their demand and they instead sold the territories for white settlers, farmers and planters. When railroad construction required even more territory expansion, American now felt the need to get rid of the Indians. They purposely massacred buffalos which are Indian’ only way of living. A Pawnee bitterly proclaimed that: “To do what they [whites] called civilizing us… was to destroy us. You know they thought that changing us, getting rid of our old ways and language and names would make us like white men.” (104). For what they do to the Indians, American appeared as cheater or tyrants who can do anything to obtain their political purposes. The Mexicans are other minority group shaped their indigenous identity while being tormented by Americans. …show more content…
The Mexicans initially occupied a great part of California. However their peaceful life had changed when Americans came to the land. Seeing the tremendous economical benefit of this area: giving the supply for the Market Revolution, convenient harbor and port, Americans first set the “Bear Flag Republic” to obtain California from the Mexicans. Then, Mexican’ government passed laws to stop American immigrants waves. The tension between the twos rose high as Mexican-American war kicked off from which American offer the annexation of California. Later, according to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexicans sold the Southwest territories to Americans for $15 million. The Mexicans now felt hatred of the Americans. Author Takaki stated that: “Suddenly, they were “thrown among those who were strangers to their language, customs, laws, and habits.” (177). For the Mexicans, the American invasion not only troy their land but also their culture and. The Mexicans who decided to stay in America now became poor labors to work on railroads construction, cotton plantation and mines. It seems that never act upon their promise but use ruthless trick to cheat on people of color. However, the establishment of Japanese-Mexicans union was an example for how different races get together could be a threat to white supremacy. They proclaimed that: “Many of us