As I looked through the resources for module one I kept going back to the Lewis and Clark expedition, remembering little details from grade school and found myself more and more intrigued. The introduction to the PBS website regarding the Corps of discovery pulled me in as a reader, knowing they came across approximately fifty different tribes on their journey must have been a miracle in itself. Not knowing the ways or rules of each one, what kind of response they would get when a intruder entered their territory, and how to interact respectfully with each one.
President Thomas Jefferson helped
guide the Louisiana Purchase, and after doing so he wanted to find out exactly
what the U.S. really bought and was hoping to find a water routs to link the
Pacific with the Mississippi River. What I found interesting on their first
discovery was that they stayed with the Arikara Indians near the Grand River
for five days. During that time they discovered that that some Indians already
owned guns, which they received through trading goods. It wouldn’t have occurred
to me that there was already a peaceful relationship between Natives and
Westerners to the point that weapons were being exchanged for goods. According
to the website, the Corps was also responsible for making peace between the
Arikara and Mandans who were enemies up until that point.
Arikara (Bear Belly)
Things didn’t always go smoothly
during the trip, later on in the expedition they came across the Arikara
Indians’ neighbors, the Tetons. The tribe believed that the Corps was more of a
threat to their trade than a friendly neighbor, and more than once conflict
almost broke out between the two. What I wouldn’t have guessed is that their chief,
Black Buffalo; eased tensions before the explorers took off again. How could
two different worlds with such a language barrier be able to ease such
tensions? I picture guns and knives drawn with each side not knowing what the
other is thinking. This visualization is much different than what I read about
in California, where the hatred and violence was uncontrollable. I wonder if
the lust for gold and riches were a contributing factor compared to Lewis and
Clark just wanting to explore and map.
Sioux Woman with Papoose
sources:
Hi Derrick,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! My blog for this course was my first attempt at blogging as well. You brought up a valid point in the peaceful relations between Westerners and Indians. It is indeed interesting that they exchanged goods. I can't help but think that on a day to day, person to person basis that there were many bonds and friendships between Westerners and Indians. Just as I'm sure some friendships were struck between whites and African American slaves. Unfortunately, the larger societal pressures influencing cultural groups to be segregated most likely overwhelm the friendships that occur on a person to person level.
Hello Derrick, my first time too.
ReplyDeleteI just took a U.S. labor history course last semester and your post made me think to one of our first modules. We discussed how the "pilgrims" were in actuality the socially unwanted in Europe and in some sense not in complete control of their own destinies in this new land. They were either indentured servants, who worked under wealthier travelers by using shady contracts that ensured their lifelong commitment to their "master". So if you think about it, the majority of people who first colonized this area were just trying to survive and probably was used to being looked down upon and feel less than those around them. Therefore, these individuals probably found the local natives to be a blessing and ease a little bit of the hardships with coming to a new land includes. Especially when the explorers found out they could trade and have commerce with local tribes who were willing to do so.
One can understand the importance of Sacagawea who had a baby. When she, the baby, and the Corps of Discovery came upon other tribes it was assumed they came in peace - because war parties didn't bring babies.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great point, did that happen often? I feel like risking the health of a baby from traveling all that way is so extreme! Could the symbolism of bringing a baby also be a sign of a tribe growing in numbers? rather than a sign a peace it could mean a sign of dominance.
DeleteI really enjoyed your blog. The Lewis and Clark expedition is always very interesting to me. I did not realize that they stayed with the tribe for 5 days. It isn't something usually covered in grammer school. The fact that the Natives already had some guns must have been a real shocker to Lewis and Clark when they came upon them.
ReplyDelete