Native Americans Were Promised New Lands In The West Where They Would Be Protected From Land-hungry Homesteaders. This Is An Example Of Which Of The Following?A. Pull Factor In MigrationB. Push Factor In Migration

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The Broken Promise: Understanding the Push Factor in Native American Migration

Introduction

The history of Native Americans in the United States is a complex and often painful one, marked by broken promises, forced relocation, and violence. One of the most significant examples of this is the promise of new lands in the west, made to Native Americans by the US government. This promise was meant to protect them from land-hungry homesteaders, but ultimately proved to be a hollow one. In this article, we will explore the concept of the push factor in migration and how it relates to the experiences of Native Americans.

The Push Factor in Migration

The push factor in migration refers to the factors that drive people to leave their homes and move to a new location. These factors can include poverty, war, persecution, and environmental disasters. In the case of Native Americans, the push factor was the promise of new lands in the west, which was meant to protect them from the encroaching homesteaders. However, this promise was ultimately broken, and Native Americans were forced to leave their ancestral lands and move to reservations.

The Broken Promise

The promise of new lands in the west was made by the US government in the mid-19th century, as part of a series of treaties and agreements with Native American tribes. These treaties were meant to provide Native Americans with a safe and secure place to live, free from the threat of encroaching homesteaders. However, the US government had no intention of keeping these promises, and instead used the treaties as a way to gain control over Native American lands.

The Consequences of the Broken Promise

The consequences of the broken promise were devastating for Native Americans. They were forced to leave their ancestral lands and move to reservations, where they were subjected to poverty, hunger, and disease. Many Native Americans died on the forced marches to the reservations, and those who survived were left to struggle in harsh conditions. The broken promise also led to the loss of Native American culture and identity, as they were forced to adapt to a new way of life.

The Role of the US Government

The US government played a significant role in the broken promise, and its actions had far-reaching consequences for Native Americans. The government's failure to keep its promises led to widespread poverty, hunger, and disease among Native Americans, and ultimately contributed to the loss of their culture and identity. The government's actions also perpetuated the myth of the "vanishing Indian," which was used to justify the forced relocation of Native Americans and the taking of their lands.

The Legacy of the Broken Promise

The legacy of the broken promise continues to affect Native Americans today. Many Native American communities continue to struggle with poverty, hunger, and disease, and the loss of their culture and identity remains a significant issue. The broken promise also serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping promises and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples.

Conclusion

The promise of new lands in the west was a classic example of the push factor in migration, where the US government promised Native Americans a safe and secure place to live, but ultimately broke its promises and forced them to leave their ancestral lands. The consequences of this broken promise were devastating for Native Americans, and its legacy continues to affect them today. As we reflect on this history, we must remember the importance of keeping promises and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples.

Key Terms

  • Push factor: The factors that drive people to leave their homes and move to a new location.
  • Native Americans: The indigenous peoples of the United States, who were forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands to reservations.
  • Broken promise: The failure of the US government to keep its promises to Native Americans, leading to widespread poverty, hunger, and disease.
  • Reservations: The areas of land set aside for Native Americans, where they were forced to live in harsh conditions.

Further Reading

  • "The Indian Removal Act" by the National Park Service: This article provides a detailed history of the Indian Removal Act, which led to the forced relocation of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to reservations.
  • "The Trail of Tears" by the National Museum of the American Indian: This article provides a detailed account of the Trail of Tears, a forced march of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to reservations.
  • "The Legacy of the Broken Promise" by the Native American Rights Fund: This article provides a detailed analysis of the legacy of the broken promise and its ongoing impact on Native American communities.
    Q&A: Understanding the Broken Promise and its Impact on Native Americans

Introduction

The broken promise made to Native Americans by the US government is a complex and painful topic that continues to affect Native American communities today. In this Q&A article, we will explore the history of the broken promise, its impact on Native Americans, and the ongoing legacy of this event.

Q: What was the broken promise made to Native Americans?

A: The broken promise was made by the US government to Native Americans in the mid-19th century, as part of a series of treaties and agreements. The government promised Native Americans a safe and secure place to live, free from the threat of encroaching homesteaders. However, the government had no intention of keeping these promises and instead used the treaties as a way to gain control over Native American lands.

Q: What were the consequences of the broken promise?

A: The consequences of the broken promise were devastating for Native Americans. They were forced to leave their ancestral lands and move to reservations, where they were subjected to poverty, hunger, and disease. Many Native Americans died on the forced marches to the reservations, and those who survived were left to struggle in harsh conditions. The broken promise also led to the loss of Native American culture and identity, as they were forced to adapt to a new way of life.

Q: What was the role of the US government in the broken promise?

A: The US government played a significant role in the broken promise, and its actions had far-reaching consequences for Native Americans. The government's failure to keep its promises led to widespread poverty, hunger, and disease among Native Americans, and ultimately contributed to the loss of their culture and identity. The government's actions also perpetuated the myth of the "vanishing Indian," which was used to justify the forced relocation of Native Americans and the taking of their lands.

Q: What is the legacy of the broken promise?

A: The legacy of the broken promise continues to affect Native American communities today. Many Native American communities continue to struggle with poverty, hunger, and disease, and the loss of their culture and identity remains a significant issue. The broken promise also serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping promises and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples.

Q: What can be done to address the ongoing impact of the broken promise?

A: There are several steps that can be taken to address the ongoing impact of the broken promise. These include:

  • Providing support for Native American communities: This can include providing funding for education, healthcare, and economic development initiatives.
  • Recognizing and respecting Native American rights: This can include recognizing Native American sovereignty and respecting their rights to their ancestral lands.
  • Promoting cultural preservation: This can include promoting the preservation of Native American languages, cultures, and traditions.

Q: How can individuals get involved in addressing the ongoing impact of the broken promise?

A: There are several ways that individuals can get involved in addressing the ongoing impact of the broken promise. These include:

  • Volunteering with Native American organizations: This can include volunteering with organizations that provide support for Native American communities.
  • Donating to Native American causes: This can include donating to organizations that provide support for Native American communities.
  • Educating oneself about Native American issues: This can include learning about the history and ongoing struggles of Native American communities.

Q: What is the significance of the broken promise in the context of Native American history?

A: The broken promise is a significant event in the context of Native American history, as it represents a major failure of the US government to keep its promises to Native Americans. The broken promise has had far-reaching consequences for Native American communities, including the loss of their culture and identity, and ongoing struggles with poverty, hunger, and disease.

Q: How can we learn from the broken promise and prevent similar events from happening in the future?

A: We can learn from the broken promise by recognizing the importance of keeping promises and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples. This can include:

  • Learning from the past: This can include learning about the history of the broken promise and its ongoing impact on Native American communities.
  • Promoting cultural understanding: This can include promoting cultural understanding and respect for Native American cultures and traditions.
  • Advocating for Native American rights: This can include advocating for Native American sovereignty and respecting their rights to their ancestral lands.

Conclusion

The broken promise made to Native Americans by the US government is a complex and painful topic that continues to affect Native American communities today. By understanding the history and ongoing impact of the broken promise, we can learn from the past and work towards a more just and equitable future for all.