TATANKA IYOTAKA (1831-1890)

"Sitting Bull" was considered a holy man by the Lakota Nation but this chief was a major obstacle to Manifest Destiny and Indian Removal. As pioneers and settlers began to move West they treaded upon traditional hunting grounds of the Lakota people. Soon, the US Army began to exercise violent raids into Lakota territory. He was the first Native to win a major battle against the US Army at the Battle of Little Bighorn against General George Custer. This victory, however, was short lived and Tatanka was forced to relocated to the Standing Rock reservation (South Dakota) by the time this picture was taken in 1881. When the Dawes Act was passed (1887) Natives were again promised land in the form of reservations and farms but Tatanka knew better. In a public speech welcoming the President to the West, Tatanka said in his native Lakota language, "I hate all white people. You are thieves and liars. You have taken away our land and made us outcasts." Ironically he was later killed by Lakotas in the Indian Police on his reservation while defending the right to put on the “Ghost Dance” which had been outlawed by the US government.

QUESTION:

After all the treaties and fighting with the White man, in the end, Tatanka was killed by members of his own tribe! Why is this somehow "fitting"? Why does it show about the future of Native Americans in the US and how they are today?

ZACHARY TAYLOR (1784-1850)

Taylor made his name as a career military man. He distinguished himself in battle during the War of 1812. Later, he made himself another reputation killing Natives fighting in the Black Hawk and Seminole Wars. As general, Zachary was responsible for instigating a fight between US Army forces and Mexican soldiers after a border dispute in Texas. This began the Mexican-American War which was eventually won by the US giving the country the South West territory as part of the idea of Manifest Destiny. His tactics during this war earned him the Medal of Honor, pictured here in 1847, and gave him enough popularity that he later became the 12th President of the US.

QUESTION:

What does it say about Americans of the mid-1800s that they elected a president that was a war hero? What was important for the country at this time?

ANDREW JACKSON (1767-1845)

For many, a career in the US military was a gateway to fame, fortune, and glory. Although he owned slaves, land, and real estate, Jackson would become popular for his work as a soldier and general. He was a proud “Indian Killer” leading raids with his troops that killed Native warriors, women, and children hoping to clear the land for American settlers. His tactics led to the Florida Purchase when Spain sold the territory to the US in 1819. As the 7th President he continued his anti-Native policies by signing the Indian Removal Act (1830) which led to the deaths of 4,000 Cherokees in the “Trail of Tears.”

Andy retired to his plantation in Tennessee after serving two terms as president. He has the distinction of being the first US president to be photographed. This second image is an actual photograph of him shortly before his death in 1845.



QUESTION:

How important is the idea of "image" for people in power? How do these images differ from each other. What impressions do you get from this man based on these pictures?