Question

Assess the validity of the following statement in a clear and well-organized essay.

In the mid to late 1800s, Native Americans were an obstacle to European American westward expansion which was overcome by technology and by force, as well as excused by a sense of ideological superiority.

Answer 1

Native Americans were obstacles to European American westward expansion in the mid to late 1800s, which was overcome by technology and force, as well as justified by an ideology of superiority.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the mid to late 1800s, Native Americans were indeed an obstacle to European American westward expansion. This expansion, driven by economic and ideological motivations, often resulted in conflicts between settlers and Native tribes. Violence and force, as well as the belief in ideological superiority, were used to overcome these obstacles. The U.S. government implemented policies such as land removal and forced assimilation to deal with Native tribes deemed as obstacles.

One example of this is the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans, including the infamous Trail of Tears. Settlers and the federal government sought to eliminate tribes from desired lands through military actions and government policies, fundamentally changing Native American life and culture. The clashes and conquests of this era still have lasting effects on Native peoples and the United States today.