A good summary article to highlight what American settlers did to the Natives. It didn't happen in the dark ages but after the European enlightenment period (after all, settlers were from the old continent). Atrocities conducted by "enlightened" settlers or even what American soldiers did during 20th-century wars are actively censored from traditional media so we may still falsely believe that we are the "civilized" world.
On top of that, as Dr. Saunt also says that the terminology is being changed now to effectively erase this history, by modern descendants of settlers now (Caucasian Americans) being called as "indigenous".
Now, these Natives are confined to reserves, with living standards, which are so far below a 3rd-world country's living standards that it's horrifying. Many reserves don't even have basic plumbing for running water & sanitation; forget the systems in place for education & jobs (that's why, Natives are far behind in education & employment in US & Canada).
North American NGOs pour millions of $$$ & actively work in Africa & Asia but ignore the abysmal conditions most of these Natives' reserves are in their own backyards. Why? because it makes far good PR from both NGOs & respective governments' perspectives to export the good deeds instead of help improve the living conditions of Natives.
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Between 1776 and 1887, white conquerors razed across 1.5 billion acres of occupied land, claiming it for their own. By 1800, Native Americans only accounted for 15% of the nation, compared to the settlers' 85. A survey taken in 1900 showed the Indians to make up just 0.5% of the US population.
It is a history that many claim to be ignored by the majority of non-indigenous Americans, who focus on the lives lost during the Civil War & European atrocities of the 19th century.
Dr Saunt explains the 'rapid & murderous' sweep by quoting California's first governor John Sutter:
'That a war of extermination will continue to be waged between races, until the Indian race becomes extinct, must be expected,' Sutter said in 1851.
In the 21st century, the canvas is being stretched for a change of perspective.
Now, more than 1% of Americans identify as indigenous - 'an increase,' Dr Saunt writes, 'that reflects not a substantive demographic shift but a newfound willingness & desire to identify as indigenous.'
He concludes: 'A history that glosses over the conquest of the continent is partial, in both senses of the word. It misleads people about the past & misinforms their debates about the present. In charting a course for the future, Americans would do well to put the dispossession of native peoples back on the map.'
On top of that, as Dr. Saunt also says that the terminology is being changed now to effectively erase this history, by modern descendants of settlers now (Caucasian Americans) being called as "indigenous".
Now, these Natives are confined to reserves, with living standards, which are so far below a 3rd-world country's living standards that it's horrifying. Many reserves don't even have basic plumbing for running water & sanitation; forget the systems in place for education & jobs (that's why, Natives are far behind in education & employment in US & Canada).
North American NGOs pour millions of $$$ & actively work in Africa & Asia but ignore the abysmal conditions most of these Natives' reserves are in their own backyards. Why? because it makes far good PR from both NGOs & respective governments' perspectives to export the good deeds instead of help improve the living conditions of Natives.
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Between 1776 and 1887, white conquerors razed across 1.5 billion acres of occupied land, claiming it for their own. By 1800, Native Americans only accounted for 15% of the nation, compared to the settlers' 85. A survey taken in 1900 showed the Indians to make up just 0.5% of the US population.
It is a history that many claim to be ignored by the majority of non-indigenous Americans, who focus on the lives lost during the Civil War & European atrocities of the 19th century.
Dr Saunt explains the 'rapid & murderous' sweep by quoting California's first governor John Sutter:
'That a war of extermination will continue to be waged between races, until the Indian race becomes extinct, must be expected,' Sutter said in 1851.
In the 21st century, the canvas is being stretched for a change of perspective.
Now, more than 1% of Americans identify as indigenous - 'an increase,' Dr Saunt writes, 'that reflects not a substantive demographic shift but a newfound willingness & desire to identify as indigenous.'
He concludes: 'A history that glosses over the conquest of the continent is partial, in both senses of the word. It misleads people about the past & misinforms their debates about the present. In charting a course for the future, Americans would do well to put the dispossession of native peoples back on the map.'
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