DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION Suggested Reading period: 15 minutes Suggested writing time: 45 minutes Directions: Question 1 is based on the accompanying documents. The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise. In your response you should do the following: Respond to the prompt with a historically defensive thesis or claim that establishes a line of reasoning. Describe a broader historical context relevant to the prompt. Support an argument in response to the prompt using at least four documents. Use additional, specilic historical evidence (beyond that found in the documents) relevan to an argument in the prompl For at least two documents explain how or why the document's point of view. purpose, historical situation. and/or audience is relevant to an argument. Demonstrate a complex understanding of a historical development related to the prompt through sophisticated argumentation and/or effective use of evidence 1. Analyze the effects of American westward expansion on the Native Americans from 1860-1900 Document 1 Source: abstract of the report of the Secretary of the Interior, Caleb Smith. published in the New York Times, 1862. It may well be questioned whether the Government has not adopted a mistaken policy in regarding the Indian tribes as quast-independent nations, and making treaties with them for the purchase of the lands they claim to own. They have none of the elements of nationality; they are within the limits of the recognized authority of the United States, and must be subject to its control. The rapid progress of civilization upon this continent will not permit the lands which are required for cultivation to be surrendered to savage tribes for hunting grounds.Indeed, whatever may be the theory, the Government has always demanded the removal of the Indians when their lands were required for agricultural purposes by advancing settlements Although the consent of the Indians has been obtained in the form of treaties,it is well known that they have yielded to a necessity which they could not resist.

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DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION Suggested Reading period: 15 minutes Suggested writing time: 45 minutes Directions: Question 1 is based on the accompanying documents. The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise. In your response you should do the following: Respond to the prompt with a historically defensive thesis or claim that establishes a line of reasoning. Describe a broader historical context relevant to the prompt. Support an argument in response to the prompt using at least four documents. Use additional, specilic historical evidence (beyond that found in the documents) relevan to an argument in the prompl For at least two documents explain how or why the document's point of view. purpose, historical situation. and/or audience is relevant to an argument. Demonstrate a complex understanding of a historical development related to the prompt through sophisticated argumentation and/or effective use of evidence 1. Analyze the effects of American westward expansion on the Native Americans from 1860-1900 Document 1 Source: abstract of the report of the Secretary of the Interior, Caleb Smith. published in the New York Times, 1862. It may well be questioned whether the Government has not adopted a mistaken policy in regarding the Indian tribes as quast-independent nations, and making treaties with them for the purchase of the lands they claim to own. They have none of the elements of nationality; they are within the limits of the recognized authority of the United States, and must be subject to its control. The rapid progress of civilization upon this continent will not permit the lands which are required for cultivation to be surrendered to savage tribes for hunting grounds.Indeed, whatever may be the theory, the Government has always demanded the removal of the Indians when their lands were required for agricultural purposes by advancing settlements Although the consent of the Indians has been obtained in the form of treaties,it is well known that they have yielded to a necessity which they could not resist.

Answer 1

## IntroductionThe period from 1860 to 1900 marked significant changes in the United States, particularly with the westward expansion. This expansion had profound and often devastating effects on Native American communities. The U.S. government's policies and the influx of settlers led to the displacement, cultural disruption, and economic hardship for Native Americans. This essay will analyze these effects, drawing on historical documents and additional evidence.## ThesisAmerican westward expansion from 1860 to 1900 led to the systematic displacement and cultural erosion of Native American tribes, driven by governmental policies and settler encroachment, which resulted in significant socio-economic and cultural upheaval for Native Americans.## Historical ContextThe mid-19th century was a period of rapid expansion and industrialization in the United States. The concept of Manifest Destiny, the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent, fueled westward movement. This period saw the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, the Homestead Act of 1862, and numerous military campaigns against Native American tribes.## Document Analysis### Document 1Caleb Smith's abstract from 1862 reflects the government's stance on Native American lands. The document criticizes the policy of treating Native tribes as quasi-independent nations and suggests that their lands are needed for agricultural purposes by settlers. This perspective underscores the government's prioritization of expansion over Native American sovereignty.### Document 2 (Hypothetical)A letter from a Native American leader in 1870 could illustrate the resistance and the impact of forced relocations, such as the Trail of Tears. This document would highlight the emotional and physical toll on Native communities.### Document 3 (Hypothetical)An excerpt from a settler's diary in 1880 might reveal the settlers' attitudes towards Native Americans and their lands, providing insight into the social dynamics and conflicts during this period.### Document 4 (Hypothetical)A government report from 1890 could detail the outcomes of policies like the Dawes Act, which aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing communal lands into individual plots, further eroding tribal structures.## Additional EvidenceBeyond the documents, historical evidence such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, and the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 demonstrate the violent and coercive measures used against Native Americans. These events illustrate the broader pattern of displacement and resistance.## Point of View and PurposeThe point of view in Document 1 reflects a governmental perspective that prioritizes expansion and economic development over Native American rights. The purpose is to justify policies that facilitate westward expansion. Understanding this context is crucial for analyzing the document's implications.## Complex UnderstandingThe effects of westward expansion on Native Americans were multifaceted, involving not just physical displacement but also cultural and economic disruptions. The loss of land meant the loss of traditional livelihoods and spiritual connections to the land. Government policies aimed at assimilation further eroded Native American cultures and social structures.## ConclusionThe American westward expansion from 1860 to 1900 had devastating effects on Native American communities. Through forced relocations, cultural assimilation policies, and violent conflicts, Native Americans faced significant socio-economic and cultural upheaval. This period is a stark reminder of the costs of expansionist policies and the resilience of Native American communities in the face of such challenges.

Answer 2

The question is an essay-type Document-Based Question (DBQ) that requires analyzing the effects of American westward expansion on Native Americans from 1860-1900. The response should include a defensible thesis, historical context, document analysis, and additional evidence.

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