Jeffrey R Gudzune's Blog
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
When I started working on this series I was not sure how much detail I should put into the individual stories about the major players in this series of events. Black Hawk was obviously passionate about protecting Sauk and Fox land claims. He carried on a war of resistence even thouogh he knew he could never fully counter the advance of white settlement. On the opposite side of the issue is Keokuk, who saw the inevitable result of American settlement and worked to preserve Sauk and Fox independence while at the same time agreeing to relocate. My research has given me a lot to cover and will therefore be the focus of the next several artciles. You may also have notived that there is no image this week. I never liked the idea of having to put a picture in each artcile--it takes too much time to look for free images and often they will not upload. This week, I tried several times to upload an image to no avail. If you can't read 600 words without an image I apologize. Reading can be fun too.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
For the next several weeks, we will take an in depth look at the removal of native communities from their lands in the southeast to reservation lands in Oklahoma. From the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek into the Trail of Tears, the American government dedicated its energy to pushing these tribes into federal lands and creating a definitive frontier against them. In our exploration of this topic we will pull back the scrim of civility that often covers America history.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
Since the inception of its rebellion against the British crown, the American government has sought to absorb native territory for use in its own expansionists desires. The Indian Removal Act touched off a devastating series of events the would lead to one of the darkest moments in American history--the Trail of Tears. On paper, the act promised an even exchange of land, sufficient funds for relocation, and protection of native land claims in the new western territory. In reality, the Indian Removal Act opened the door for a massive land grab that would threaten to plunge the entire southeast into open war. Next week, we will explore the first of a series of treaties that would take both sides towards the end.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
To be honest, I have never understood what one is supposed to do in a blog. When I first started writing for this site, I thought I was supposed to review what was discussed in the article. I found this to be a tedious chore. I never saw the point of reviewing what I had written because I'm quite plain spoken when it comes to my writing. I don't believe in being vague, so I found it redundant to have restate what I had said originally. I do hope you will bear with me and don't think it odd that I don;t rehash what has already been explored in my published works. Starting this week, we will begin an experiment. I will talk to you about the art of writing, review reader comments, and answer questions.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
Established in 1806, the Office of Indian Trade managed the economic and political relationship between the United States and Indian nations. Established after the original trade and Intercourse Acts as an arm fof the federal government, the office soon gained a reputation for mismanagement. In my research on this subject, I have found more than can be contained in one article. Also, I have spent the last week retooling the site and coning up with exciting new topics. Join me nect week for a look at the Office of Indian Trade.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
I apologize for the delay, but I suffer from a chronic illness that sometimes requires injections that rob me of the energy to complete my tasks. I have been researching throughout the weekend, but the illness prevents me from finishing my work. I should have an exciting nee article on the formation of America's early Indian polciy this time next week.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
Both the British and the American colonies adopted a centralized policy towards Indian tribes. In the aftermath of the American Revolution, the United States government began treating indigenous tribes like independent nations. Agents of the government were empowered to negotiate with tribal leaders in order to gain access to native land holdings. Through promises of western, bribes, and even threats, American agents gradually gained control of indigenous territory. At this time, the United States was a new nation, with unsecured borders and a rabidly growing population. The various Indian tribes located along the new nation's borders represented a potential threat to the expansionist new republic. To protect itself, the United States adopted a treaty system that effectively robbed Indian tribes of their lands. Next week, we will look at the treaty system.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
Everyone else does it, so I may as well take a break. We'll call it Spring Break. Don't worry, I am working on a new series of topics that we will start to explore next week. Join me for a look at indigenous arts and cratfs, metalwork, and masonry. We will also take a look at more cultural practices and discuss the importance of cultural practices.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
The Mounds Builders were Native Americans. They were not an arm of the Aztec Empire. They were not a lost tribe of Europeans. They were not the product of extraterrestrials. The Mound Builders were a totally home grown civilization that existed in the American northeast. Time has wiped away all but a few remnants of their culture, but the northeast is dotted with examples of their stunning accomplishments. I have chosen to focus on this culture because of the significance of their architectural accomplishments. There is a great deal of information on this fascinating topic, but a lot of it has proven either too contentious to be mentioned or contradictory. This is the case with any discussion regarding pre-contact indigenous societies. However, in my research I have endeavored to present the most accurate picture of this fascinating culture.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
I am taking the week off to visit friends in West Virginia, but next week we will explore another fascinating topic--Mound Builders and Mound Culture.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
Over the last two years, we have explored a wide variety of topics on the subject of Native American history, culture, and politics. Together, we have crossed Beringia during the concluding millennia of the last Ice Age and glimpsed at the struggles of Paleo Indian bands as they traversed North America. We have watched the arrival of the first Europeans and witnessed their rapid expansion into sacred indigenous land. We have reserved judgment, but viewed with sadness the transgressions of a young American republic as it absorbed, through treaty or force, more native territory. We have collectively wept at the relocation of thousands of Native Americans and been stirred by the courage of those who mounted a determined resistance to the growing military of power of the United States. We have been inspired by those Native Americans who served the United States amid international conflicts, despite the fact that they were not even considered citizens of the land they fought to protect. Finally, we have cheered at the triumph of those founders and proponents of Native American rights movements as they struggled to gain equality.
In the second year of our in depth look at indigenous life, we explored the intricacies of Native American religious and medicinal practices. By examining the creation mythologies of dozens of indigenous communities, we have gained a better understanding of how indigenous tribes sought to answer the philosophical questions of their own communities. Looking at tricksters and cultural heroes gave us a larger grasp of the concepts of good and evil, and, in some cases, how these two concepts may not be mutually exclusive. The rituals of the Lakota, Dakota, Cheyenne, Mandan, and Plains communities have demonstrated the unique social and spiritual beliefs of native tribes and underscored the interconnectedness of these two aspects of indigenous life. It is my hope, that what we have looked at will encourage others to take an interest in the fascinating world of Native American history.
Going forward, we will continue to explore new topics and gain a larger perspective on this subject. Let us open the door to a larger world.
Posted by Jeffrey R Gudzune
Having reviewed a variety of temporary and permanent dwellings, we have once more explored another fascinating aspect of indigenous culture. This research has revealed that native architects used a variety of constituent materials in order to construct their dwellings. I have furthermore discovered that the type of dwelling constructed is determined by two distinct factors--the nomadic or sedentary status of the tribe and the general environment of the settlement region. These two factors have the greatest impact on indigenous architecture.
While there are dozens of dwelling types, I have directed the focus of these articles towards some of the more recognizable--those dwellings whose designs have withstood the test of time and the elements. Having looked closely at the pithouse, the longhouse, the pueblo, and the earth lodge, we have explored a few of the dwellings that are prevalent among sedentary communities. Additionally, the tipi, the lean-to, and the wigwam have shown us the durable constructs of nomadic communities.
In the coming weeks, we will explore other types of indigenous dwellings as we delve deeper into the world of native architecture.