Essay Question: Since time began (for civilizations in North America) the Native Americans have loved, fought, sweat, bled, cried and honored the sacred nature of the land they occupied.When Europeans arrived, colonizing and later establishing, a new nation, much changed.Examine the historic evidence (3 well explained examples) of the relationship between Native Americans and American settlers/army and determine whether the demise of the Native Americans was inevitable.
Project Based Lesson: Defensive Battle Plan From Metacom to Pontiac to Tecumseh, Native American war chiefs devoted their lives to fighting for their land and people, against the continuous encroachment of American settlers.From a military point of view, though, Native Americans had advantages and disadvantages.Design a successful defensive military battle plan against both American settlers and the American militia.Consider geography, human resources, technology, climate, maneuvers and tactics, etc. in your plan.Determine whether your final goal, also, is either a military solution or a political one and then work to achieve it.
Readings/Internet: Writings on Native American policy and attitude, Speeches by Tecumseh and Pontiac, selections from Peoples History of the American Revolution, speeches and writings from the Trail of Tears
Links Lesson: 1) Compare and Contrast chart explaining the similarities and differences of Indian Removal policy before and after the Civil War, 2) Story Plot chart of a creative writing story involving the student as a Native American dealing with the choices of fight, flee or surrender, 3) divided page of Native American vocabulary, foods, leaders, battles ,etc.
Essential Questions: 1) Was Native American cultural & political existence incompatible with European colonial society? 2) Are all tactics in warfare justified when self-defense is your objective? 3) What other alternatives existed besides Native Americans allying themselves with the British in the Revolutionary War? 4) Did Native American survival as a culture and people depend on intertribal unification? 5) Why did the Cherokee comply with the Indian Removal Act in the end?
Identification Terms
Tecumseh
Pontiac
Metacom
Massasoit
Seminole Tribe
Creek Tribe
Cherokee Tribe
Wampanoag Tribe
Pequot Tribe
Iroquois Tribe
Bacons Rebellion
Smith & Pocahontas
Sacagawea
Battle of Fallen Timbers
Battle of Tippecanoe
NA Medicine
NA Hunting
NA Women
NA Crafts
NA Warfare
NA Architecture
NA Family Life
NA Spirituality
NA Leaders
NA Food
Treaties
Diplomacy
Assimilation
Removal
Refugees
Short Answer Questions
1.In what ways were the North American Natives similar or different from other indigenous people & cultures of the world?
2.How did the social organization of Native American tribes influence the development of its culture and its relationship with Americans?
3.Considering the circumstances, describe a political, economic and social method for American-Native American peaceful coexistence.
4.What characteristics or personality traits did Native American leaders possess that created effective leadership?What differences?
5.Was removal of Native Americans primarily motivated by economic or prejudicial ideals?Justify your answer with historical evidence.
6.Could the Native Americans have prevented settlers and Americans from territorial conquest by military means?How could this be done?
7.What examples of Native American culture have been instructive to American political, economic and social development over the years?
8.What lessons do you believe Americans today should learn from our bloody history with Native Americans?How should we learn them?
9.How are the roles of women in Native American tribes similar and/or different from the roles of women in American society?Explain.
10.If Americans today were faced with a similar scenario, what would (or should) we do differently concerning native tribes & expansion?
