short writing assignment #7

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Los Medanos College *

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047

Subject

History

Date

Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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5

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1. Who was vying for Indian support before and during the American Revolution, and what did each potential ally offer or threaten? - During the American Revolution, the British promised Native American tribes protection of their lands and respect for existing treaties, while warning of potential consequences if they sided with the American Revolutionaries. “ Indians resented the new British presence and power. They had expected the British to enhance their diplomacy with gifts, as the French had, but Britain, on the brink of financial ruin at the end of the most expensive war it had ever fought, cut back on what it considered to be extraneous and costly niceties.” (Calloway, 325). The Americans initially pledged to respect native territories but retaliated against tribes supporting the British, and settlers encroached on native lands. The French offered support against British expansion and recognized territorial rights, cautioning of potential conflicts if tribes sided with the British and hinting at further land encroachment. 2. How did Indian nations unify or divide in response to American land policy? - In response to American land policies, Indian nations showcased both unity and division. Some tribes joined forces, forming alliances to collectively resist the encroachment of settlers and protect their territories. However, differing perspectives on how to handle the situation led to divisions within other nations, causing internal conflicts and varied strategies in dealing with American land policies. The responses of Indian nations were diverse, with some unifying for a common cause and others grappling with internal disputes, highlighting the complex ways in which they navigated the challenges posed by American land policies.
3. What distinguished Native American Experiences in the East from those in the West in the latter half of the eighteenth century? - In the latter half of the eighteenth century, Native American experiences in the East were characterized by sustained contact with European settlers, leading to intricate trade relationships and diplomatic ties. Eastern tribes, such as the Cherokee and Iroquois, faced increasing pressure on their lands and negotiated treaties, like the Treaty of Paris in 1783, impacting their territories. In the West, tribes like the Sioux and Comanche had less immediate European contact, maintaining more traditional lifestyles until later confrontations with westward- expansion American settlers brought about significant changes. 4. Henry Stuart was watching events from the wings but was vitally interested in their outcome; in what ways could this have affected their reliability of his report? Samuel Kirkland served as interpreter for the Oneidas on this and many other occasions; in what ways might Kirkland have affected the tone and content of the Oneidas' communications with the Americans? (Be sure to use SPECIFIC evidence from the documents on pages 229-231). - Henry Stuart, as an observer from the wings, may have introduced subjectivity and limited perspective into his reports, potentially leading to biases and an incomplete understanding of events. “Stuart clearly wanted to portray his own efforts in a good light, but his account reminds us that Indian people who fought in the American Revolution did so for their own, not for British, reasons” (Calloway,374). The lack of direct involvement could result in the reliance on unverified information and emotional detachment. On the other hand, Samuel
Kirkland, serving as an interpreter for the Oneidas, could have influenced the tone and content of their communications with the Americans through interpretation biases, language nuances, cultural understanding, and a potential personal agenda. Both figures highlight the importance of considering the impact of observers and interpreters on the reliability and objectivity of historical accounts. 5. What does Henry Stuart's report and the Oneida's Declaration of Neutrality reveal about the pressures and dilemmas Indian communities faced at the beginning of the Revolution? - Henry Stuart's report and the Oneida's Declaration of Neutrality shed light on the challenges faced by Indian communities at the beginning of the Revolution. “He complained particularly of the Virginians who after having taken away all their Lands and cruelly and treacherously treated some of their people, had unjustly brought war upon their Nation and destroyed many of their people; that in a very few years their Nation from being a great people were now reduced to a handful” (Calloway, 377). Stuart's report emphasized external pressures as the British sought Indian support against the American colonists, presenting a dilemma for tribes in choosing sides. The Oneida's Declaration highlighted the internal and external pressures on the tribe, caught between conflicting loyalties from positive interactions with Americans and British overtures. Both documents underscore the complexity of decisions Indian communities had to make, balancing their safety and future relationships amidst the escalating tensions of the Revolutionary era.
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