Q Section 3.2: Native Americans and the American Dream Through the Eyes of a Geographer: How would a geographer approach this topic? What are the spatial aspects/issues related to this topic? How would spatial analysis be used to address this topic/issue? What are the where and why questions? How can this topic be studied and analyzed using the five themes of geography? Overview: Most Americans now acknowledge that there were other peoples living in North America before European “discovery” and settlement; however, they often dismiss the indigenous peoples as being backward and an obstacle to progress. Geographers are interested in the spatial variation of culture among Native Americans prior to European contact, and also in the struggles for use of natural resources between European settlers and the indigenous peoples. Fundamental differences in beliefs and values regarding human environment interaction existed between the European settlers and Native Americans. These cultural differences resulted in dramatically different actions. Furthermore, because Europeans and the new American settler culture perceived Native Americans negatively, the past 500 years has brought hatred, prejudice, discrimination, ridicule, cultural assimilation, and cultural extinction on them. Although many in this land were living the American Dream, some groups, including the Native Americans, were shut out from it. Critical Thinking/Discussion Questions: 1. Are all Native American peoples the same? Discuss the spatial variation of traditional cultures prior to European contact. 2. What is the current spatial distribution of Native Americans in present-day U.S.? What happened to the true first Americans? What is ethnic cleansing? 3. What is the American Dream? Do all Americans have equal access to this dream? What accounts for advantages and disadvantages in achieving it? Practice Questions (Write Correct Answer in Blank): Multiple Choice: 1. ___ The major dispute between Europeans and Native Americans centered around: A) treaties B) land/physical landscape C) trading values D) taxation 2. ___ Striking similarities can be drawn between the treatment of Native Americans and the treatment of indigenous peoples in the following African country: A) Zimbabwe B) South Africa C) the Gambia D) Nigeria 3. ___ The member of the U.S. Army and the “mastermind” behind the great Indian Education Experiment: A) Jackson B) Hayes C) Harrison D) Pratt 4. ___ Two terms are often used to describe the loss of Native American culture in the United States: A) cultural survival/dependence B) cultural extraction/development C) cultural reliance/rejection D) cultural assimilation/extinction 5. ___ The American Dream is not available to everyone. An example of this is the wage disparity between men and women. In 2019, American women made about ___ cents for every dollar that a man made with the same education and experience: A) 41 B) 52 C) 80 D) 95 True or False: 1. ___ Because they were indigenous to this land “Indians” were automatically considered citizens of the U.S. when it was created. 2. ___ Every American has equal access to and can achieve the “American Dream.” 3. ___ After making his famous speech in Washington, the U.S. government allowed Chief Joseph and his people to live on their land in peace. 4. ___ Some of the highest rates of poverty and lowest life expectancies in the U.S. can be found on certain Native American reservations. 5. ___ Toponyms can reveal the history and details of a culture area, even when time has erased other evidence.

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