The Indian Wars

Children's Literature

From virtually the first moments that European explorers encountered Native American people, problems occurred. As a clash for territory, resources, and riches ensued between these competing forces the fate of the native peoples of America gradually worsened. During the Colonial era, wars led to the total extinction of many tribes. Later, in the early 19th century, efforts were systematically made by the U.S. Government to remove Native Americans from areas that were desirable. Incidents such as the forced removal of 15,000 Cherokees, during what came to be called the "Trail of Tears," are but one example of the harsh treatment meted out by Americans to their Native American counterparts. During and after the Civil War a series of more large-scale and sweeping campaigns were waged against the native tribes. The so-called Indian Wars were brutal in nature and occurred in a landscape that combined enormous scale and harsh conditions. Both sides during these various wars engaged in barbaric acts of cruelty in a conflict that ultimately led to the destruction of much of the traditional Native American lifestyles. In the end, as author Rebecca Stefoff competently highlights in this overview of that era, Native Americans were placed on reservations and globally assimilated into American society. However, despite the terrible injustices that took place during the Indian Wars, Rebecca Stefoff justly notes that Native American peoples have survived, as has their story. That story is well handled in this illustrated chapter in the "North American Historical Atlases" series. 2003, Benchmark Books, Romaneck