The Colonial Period and Indians -- What should we know?

We are nearly finished with the first unit of U.S. History – often called the Colonial Period. We went from a land bridge across the Bering Sea to the takeover of New Netherlands by the English. I’d like you to ponder what we learned about the first peoples (Native Americans) of this land. Were we fair in our study? (Do we need to be?) Were we accurate? What really is the most valuable thing to study from this time period? Is it better to understand who did the conquering or should we re-evaluate how we learn the colonial period to better understand the relationships among Indian nations and between Indians and Europeans?

I have included some quotes that I’d like you to consider as you explore this issue. Do you agree with any of them? Disagree? Who should we believe?

“What we committed in the Indies stands out among the most unpardonable offenses ever committed against God and mankind and this trade [in American Indian slaves] as one of the most unjust, evil, and cruel among them.” Bartolome De Las Casas

“Considering that virtually none of the standard fare surrounding Thanksgiving contains an ounce of authenticity, historical accuracy, or cross-cultural perception, why is it so apparently ingrained? Is it necessary to the American psyche to perpetually exploit and debase its victims in order to justify its history?" Michael Dorris

“The invaders also anticipated, correctly, that other Europeans would question the morality of their enterprise. They therefore [prepared] quantities of propaganda to overpower their own countrymen’s scruples. The propaganda gradually took standard form as an ideology with conventional assumptions and semantics. We live with it still.” Francis Jennings

“There is not one Indian in the whole of this country who does not cringe in anguish and frustration because of these textbooks. There is not one Indian child who has not come home in shame and tears.” Rupert Costo

“God has not been preparing the English speaking and Teutonic peoples for a thousand years for nothing….He has given us the spirit of progress to overwhelm the forces of reaction throughout the earth. He has made us adept in government that we may administer government among savage and senile people…..And of all our race He has marked the American people as His chosen nation to finally lead in the redemption of the world.” Senator Albert Beveridge, 1900

Where were you?

Do you remember where you were on the morning of September 11, 2001? When you look back on the event and its aftermath, what do you remember most? Has it changed anything in your life? Your family's life? Has it changed the United States?

As we look at the Bush presidency and the events surrounding 9-11 and our subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, let's take a more personal look at where we were and how we felt that terrible morning and the months that followed. We are in this way always "living" history. Tell your own story as you remember it in your first post by answering the questions above (as guides). In your second post, comment on a classmate's blog. Your commentary might be something one of your peer's sparked in you that you desire to share or you might acknowledge a similarity or difference between you. We are looking to explore this topic in a safe and respectful way and with an intention to build a supportive and academically rich community. Sharing yourself thoughtfully is the first step.

Please remember, and I hope it is obvious, you will never be graded for your opinions on this Blog -- you will simply be given "credit" or "no-credit" for your two engaged and thoughtful posts. Please make sure you reply with your name to each post that you submit.