Abstract This paper examines the tactical environment and resulting tactics of the Western Indian Wars of the late 19th century. The paper includes a discussion of methodology as well as primary sources of eyewitness testimony.
From the Paper "The Indian Wars loom large in American culture They were the grist of hundreds of Western movies and most Americans still immediately recognize names like Little Big Horn and Wounded Knee. The word cavalry is as likely to evoke an image of Indian warfare on the Great Plains as of either the Civil War or modern mechanized cavalry. Moreover, the Indian Wars had an influence on American military thought that persists today..."
Abstract This paper looks at the novel "Ceremonies," by Leslie Marmon Silko, and at the culture of the Pueblo Indians. The paper reviews the story, explaining that it is about a young half Caucasian/half Indian man returning after World War II suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and not being able to find answers in either Western or traditional Pueblo medicine.
From the Paper "Silko's "Ceremony" is the story of a Tayo a half Caucasian, half Native American from the Laguna Pueblo Reservation in New Mexico and his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder on his return from World War II. He has survived being held as a prisoner of war by the Japanese and is suffering the physical and mental effects of this captivity and this is compounded by the added pressures of bi-culturalism tearing him between the Native American world and the white world. Throughout the novel, Silko introduces the..."
Abstract This paper discusses various forms of Aztec works of art, including those from a recent find, on exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum. This paper looks at how the works of Aztec art counter historical views of the Aztec culture.
From the Paper "The culture of the Aztecs was primarily forged from the culture of their predecessors the Olmecs, the Toltecs and the inhabitants of Teotihuac. The Aztecs flourished as a civilization for two millennia before being decimated by smallpox and the Spanish conquest led by Cortes. In order to justify the systematic destruction of the Aztecs, the Spanish often represented them as a barbaric and savage culture. However, artworks uncovered in archaeological expeditions have uncovered the inaccuracy that such an assumption represents as the totality..."
This paper analyzes "Ceremony," "Yellow Woman" and "A Beauty of Spirit" and illustrates the importance of nature to the culture of the Laguna people and their survival.
Abstract An analysis of "Ceremony," "Yellow Woman" and "A Beauty of Spirit" that illustrates the importance of nature to the culture of the Laguna people and their survival.
From the Paper "Leslie Mormon Silko: Introduction. The Laguna Pueblo are a Native American people that according to Silko in "Yellow Woman" and a "Beauty of Spirit" embrace the whole of creation and the whole of history and time. In this essay and in her novel "Ceremony" we see that the Laguna are not only connected to nature but are part of it. The land and its creatures are their creation, their history and their time."
Abstract This article, glancing at the book, "The Cherokee Removal", discusses the expulsion of the Cherokee people from their homeland, making way for white Americans. The writer looks at the forcible expulsion of an ethnic and cultural group from its homeland in the United States. In the above-mentioned book, the author claims that in the end, this transfer of the Cherokee people proved to be beneficial to all concerned. This paper examines the expulsion and the writer of this article argues that this forcible removal was not in fact favorable to both groups involved. The writer maintains that the "migration of the Cherokee across the Mississippi" was perhaps not in all parties' best interests.
From the Paper "First, the differences between late 19th century United States worldviews and those of the Cherokee are examined; a grasp of the difference between these ideals is essential to understanding the differences in each group's priorities. A few of the specific factors which the quote depends on are examined, such as the attitude of President Andrew Jackson, the potential uses of the Cherokee homelands, and objections raised by white defenders of the Indians. Finally, how these ideals affected the reality of each group-how one's notion of justice, for example, influenced one's actions, is explored."
Abstract This paper discusses the tremendous growth of participation in amateur athletic events over the past few decades in terms of their scope, power and economic status and that in the United States alone, amateur athletics involve the lives and athletic experiences of people from their childhood through high school and college and beyond. This paper also discusses how high school and college sports are one of the most popular and important aspects of academic life today and that the camaraderie and fellowship that can emerge among sports players can possibly last a lifetime. The focus of this paper is on a disturbing trend towards violence in sports that has emerged in recent years. While injuries and mishaps can reasonably be expected to take place in any sporting event, there is frequently a fine distinction between intimidating tactics and violence that can result in serious injuries on the sporting field.
From the Paper "While violence in collegiate sports has received much attention in recent years, a less publicized problem also exists. College athletes are highly popular figures on campus and in communities, but they are being unfairly treated in terms of how they are compensated for their efforts. While the performance of these student athletes on the field or court provides millions of dollars in revenue for universities, these students receive only their scholarships (usually comprised of tuition, room, and board), but no spending money. Furthermore, under current NCAA regulations, these student athletes are prohibited from even working part-time during the season. "Athletes have been caught trying to make money by getting loans from coaches and advisers," the author says, "selling the shoes and other gear they get as team members, taking allowances from agents, and getting paid for no-show summer jobs provided by jock-sniffing alumni--all violations of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules" (38). "
Tags: non, sporting, events, athletes, students, teams, coaches, drugs
Abstract This paper looks at Native American Women and focuses on the changes in life that the Europeans brought to Native American women, and the struggles that began. It further discusses the stereotypes that forever influenced these women's lives and relates how these misconceptions still affect Native American women of today.
From the Paper "The perceptions that have historically been applied to Native American women have often been that they have always been subservient beings, abused by their husbands, who have no choice in their personal destinies (Hoxie). Throughout time various individuals have contended that Native American women were mere shadows in the existence of tribal men, and that slavery was not uncommon for them because it was an element of the world that they were born into. Yet, the research will demonstrate that these philosophies about Native American women were subjective analysis of females that were unknown to those providing critique. It will further show that beneath these suppositions existed the lives of people that historically made tremendous contributions to their cultures, and who currently are the greatest strength that continue the traditions in the Native American tribes. "
Abstract This paper analyzes John Demos' work entitled "An Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America". It is a response of sorts to John Williams publication of A Redeemed Captive, written in the early 18th century. The paper discusses the writing style, as well as the effect the author's use of dates and statistics has on the reader's enjoyment of the book.
From the Paper "John Demos' The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story From Early America is a narrative history regarding captivity by Indians in 18th century New England. As thus, it is written in a fictional manner, with the historical facts being processed as they likely were through the central characters. The writing style makes the book an appealing read, as the statistics, dates and facts are interspersed with a lively account of the situation at hand. In Chapter One, Demos begins by relating the Deerfield, Massachusetts Massacre, which occurred in February of 1704. Accounting first for the motives that spurred this incident, Demos then focuses on the Williams family, most of whom are taken captive to Canada by their French and Indian enemies."
Abstract This paper discusses how when When American pioneers crossed the Mississippi River more than a century-and-a-half ago and began to settle in the Southern Plains, they encountered the Comanches, who dominated this region in the mid-nineteenth-century because they were one of the first Native American tribes to acquire horses from the Spanish and one of the few to breed them to any extent. The paper further discusses that because Comanche horsemen had become so highly skilled, they set the pattern of equestrian nomadism that was so characteristic of the Plains Indians in the nineteenth century, and made possible the pervasive buffalo culture of most Native American tribes.
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of Wounded Knee in American history. Specifically the paper discusses whether the conflict was a battle, as it was first known, or a massacre as it is now being called. The Battle of Wounded Knee was the last major battle between Native-Americans and whites. According to the paper, it was a tragic time in American history, and a lasting reminder of how the Indians lost their way of life, their dignity, and their homes, all due to white aggression and displacement.
From the Paper "The Battle of Wounded Knee took place on December 29, 1890 near Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. A large group of Sioux Natives had gathered by the Creek, and the U.S. Army wanted to break up the gathering, because they felt the group was engaging in the religious dance called the Ghost Dance, which they felt was dangerous because it created unrest among the Natives. The soldiers began to separate the women and children from the men, and during this separation, someone fired a shot. It is not known who fired it. One historian writes, "In the chaos that followed, soldiers gunned down and stabbed Sioux men, women, and children. Some who did not die instantly crawled away only to freeze to death in the coming blizzard" (Johnson). "
Abstract This paper describes the differing beliefs and outlooks of the Native Americans versus the European Colonists in the early 1600s. This author evaluates their differing views on such topics as technology, religion, the environment, women's rights, and slavery. The paper gives an honest appraisal of both sides' views and prejudices about the other. The author concludes that these base differences between the two sets of peoples, the Europeans and the Native Americans, were what sparked the distrust held by both nations that endured for hundreds of years.
From the Paper "The European colonists and the Native Americans of North American had very different views on nearly everything they encountered in their lives. Living in vastly different cultures lead both groups to generally have two extremely different outlooks on four main topics; religious beliefs, the environment, social relations, and slavery, differences which the colonists used this to their advantage when conquering the peoples of the New World."
Abstract The paper describes the traditional, ideal Apache family. It looks at their close ties to extended family and examines how the leader of a tribe would prevent disharmony in the group. The paper also looks at traditional Apache religion and how hunting was an integral part of the Apache's lifestyle.
From the Paper "The Apache had many distinct branches, some in the south, west or east. However they shared many things in common when it came to their political and social organization. In the ideal Apache family there would be a husband and a wife. It was the husband's job to join the family of his wife. The couple would share their household with their unmarried children and the families of their married daughters. Due to this marriage arrangement, the wife was the member of the family who brought in extended members. Wives played an important role in the tribe's survival."
Abstract This paper discusses the various accounts of the relationship between the Indian girl, Pocahontas and the English Captain, John Smith. It discusses exactly what their relationship was and how they related to each other. The paper looks at John Smith's account of the events and people surrounding Pocahontas and discusses how this compares to the popular Disney version of their relationship.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most romanticized event in history is the meeting and relationship between Indian girl, Pocahontas and English Captain, John Smith. What exactly was their relationship? Disney Productions tells us in their movie titled "Pocahontas" that the relationship between the two people were of that of a romantic type, portraying the two as highly attractive twenty something's, leaping through forests and frolicking in the fields."
This paper discusses the legacy of Geronimo, who leade the Chiricahua Apache in their fight against the expansion of the United States and Mexico into their tribal lands.
Abstract The paper sheds light on the motivations and reasoning behind Geronimo's dedication to the path of war by describing Geronimo's early life and the injustice done to his people and his own family by the Mexican troops and the white men. The paper describes the many battles he fought and the years of struggle with white men. The paper concludes that although is depicted as a savage, one must not forget that Geronimo was a great leader and a great warrior who prolonged the life of his Apache.
From the Paper "To understand Geronimo's motivation, one must look at his early life. Born into the Bedonkohe band of the Apache Indian tribe, Geronimo was raised on Apache traditions. At the age of 17, he married his first wife, Alope, with whom he would have three children. In 1858, Geronimo and his tribe ventured to Old Mexico for trading. Confident that they would not be attacked, the warriors left their women and children at the camp to go into the town of Kaskiyeh and trade. While there, the tribe's camp was attacked by a Mexican troop on a hunting trip, and Geronimo's wife, three children, and mother were killed."
Tags: savage, warrior, revenge, whites, General, Miles, Native-Americans
Abstract This paper analyzes William Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways", which is an account of his journey along the back roads of the United States. The papers relates that Heat Moon's writing style is so compelling that the reviewer feels as if he is riding along in the passenger seat. A central theme of the story is that, even in Heat Moon's search for his ancestral roots, the only thing that is constant is change.
Table of Contents:
The Adventure
Change: A Constant Theme Throughout
From Beginning to End and Past to Present
From the Paper "It seems that the looming issues in Heat Moon's life were a major influence on his decision to set out on this journey. After losing his wife to another man and losing his job, he decided to head out on a search for forgotten parts of America and the American experience by traveling the old back roads through old towns. This is an attempt to see passed the superficial nature of modern American culture by connecting with himself and nature by admiring idyllic, and not so idyllic, landscapes."
