America: A History Podcast

BONUS: The Legacy of Sand Creek: Racism, War, and Cultural Extermination

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Episode notes

In this special bonus episode, we continue our conversation from the recent episode What Was the Sand Creek Massacre? and dive deeper into its broader implications for Native American history and relations with the U.S. government.

We discuss recent developments, including President Biden's historic apology for the government's role in cultural genocide through boarding schools, raising questions about the sincerity of recognition and the tangible actions needed to improve the situation for Native peoples today.

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Special guest for this episode:

  • Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Professor of American and Indigenous Histories at the University of East Anglia, with an interest in the American West, immigration and Americanisation.

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Highlights from this episode:

  • The Sand Creek Massacre illustrates the violent and systematic oppression of Native Americans in U.S. history.
  • The Civil War did not halt the government's aggressive policies towards Native American communities.
  • President Biden's recent apology acknowledges the historic injustices faced by Native Americans, particularly in schools.
  • Cultural extermination was often framed as a form of kindness towards Native Americans by settlers.
  • The historical perspective reveals that Native Americans were seen as obstacles to American progress.
  • Discussions about Native American rights today must address both historical grievances and future actions.

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And if you like this episode, you might also love:

Who Are Native Americans?

How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation?

What is Thanksgiving?

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