Impact on Native Americans
The westward movement of the immigrants in the United States caused a huge impact on Native Americans. They were hunters, who occupied a lot of land to hunt and sustain on. By the 1800's, the Natives were outnumbered by the whites. Farming became more popular and politically powerful than hunting. The U.S. had specific laws on how citizens would treat each other and to establish treaties of land with the Indians. But these laws did not respect the Indians and let them live their life. This led to many conflicts, with each group fighting for control of land and power. During the California Gold Rush, the Indian population was approximately 100,000. In 1850, a year after the Gold Rush, the population decreased to 35,000. Because of the decrease in Indian population. they attacked citizens, mainly women and children. Miners of the Gold Rush invaded the Rocky Mountains and the plains, attacking the Native Americans who lived there. Between 1869 and 1876, two hundred battles were fought between the U.S. Army and the Indians. The various Indian tribes did not have unity and there was in-fighting between themselves.
Some Indian tribes made peace with the U.S. and served as the country's allies and became known as "good Indians." European immigrants justified their expansion of the Indian land by stating that the Natives were not making proper use of their land, so they did not deserve it. The settlers made profit by farming the land and boosting economic development. Slowly, the Indians were pushed back. Eventually, they settled down on small areas of land, which came to be known as reservations.
Some Indian tribes made peace with the U.S. and served as the country's allies and became known as "good Indians." European immigrants justified their expansion of the Indian land by stating that the Natives were not making proper use of their land, so they did not deserve it. The settlers made profit by farming the land and boosting economic development. Slowly, the Indians were pushed back. Eventually, they settled down on small areas of land, which came to be known as reservations.