more detailed reasons Why the four Presidents are Contentious for Native Americans
George Washington: The "Town Destroyer"
George Washington, the first president of the United States, is known as the "Father of the Nation". Washington played a significant
role in the founding of the United States, but his actions towards Native Americans were far less noble. During the American Revolutionary War, Washington ordered the Sullivan
Expedition in 1779, which aimed to destroy the villages of the Iroquois Confederacy. This campaign led to the significant destruction of Native American homes, crops, and
resources, earning Washington the nickname "Town Destroyer" among the Iroquois.
Washington's presidency also supported policies that encouraged the westward expansion of the United States, which inevitably led to
the displacement of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands. His expansionist policies and military actions contributed to the ongoing marginalization and mistreatment
of Native Americans, making him a controversial figure in their history.
Thomas Jefferson: Expansion and the Foundations of Indian Removal
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is similarly contentious for Native Americans due to his role in the
expansion of U.S. territory and the subsequent impact on Native American communities. Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase in 1803 significantly expanded the territory of the United
States, leading to increased pressure on Native American lands as settlers moved westward. This expansion paved the way for further displacement of Native American tribes, as
their lands were coveted by European-American settlers.
While the formal Indian Removal Act was passed after Jefferson's presidency, his administration laid the groundwork for policies
that promoted the removal of Native Americans from their lands. Jefferson's vision of an "Empire of Liberty" often involved the displacement of Native American tribes to make way
for this expansion, further entrenching the contentious nature of his legacy.
Theodore Roosevelt: Expansionist Policies and Problematic Views
Theodore Roosevelt is a particularly contentious figure for Native Americans because of his strong advocacy for westward expansion,
which often came at the expense of Native American lands. Roosevelt’s policies encouraged the settlement of the western United States by non-Native Americans, leading to the
further displacement of Native American tribes from their ancestral territories. His views on Native Americans were influenced by the prevailing attitudes of his time, which often
regarded Native Americans as obstacles to progress. Roosevelt is infamously quoted as saying, "I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I
believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldn't like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth." This reflects a deeply problematic attitude towards Native Americans,
contributing to his contentious legacy.
Additionally, while Roosevelt is widely respected for his contributions to conservation and the establishment of national parks,
these efforts sometimes led to the removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. For Native communities, this form of "conservation" often meant the loss of access to
sacred sites and traditional resources, further marginalizing them. Roosevelt’s admiration for figures like Andrew Jackson, who was responsible for the Indian Removal Act and the
Trail of Tears, complicates his legacy even more, making him a controversial figure in the context of Native American history.
Abraham Lincoln: The Dakota War and Westward Expansion
Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, is particularly contentious for his role in the Dakota War of 1862
and the subsequent mass execution of 38 Dakota men. After the conflict between the Dakota (Sioux) people and settlers in Minnesota, Lincoln approved the largest mass execution in
U.S. history, ordering the hanging of these Dakota men. While Lincoln commuted the sentences of many others, the execution remains a deeply painful event in Native American
history and contributes to his contentious legacy.
Furthermore, Lincoln's presidency oversaw the passage of the Homestead Act and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad,
both of which accelerated westward expansion. These developments led to the further displacement of Native American tribes from their lands, as settlers and the U.S. government
sought to fulfill the nation's manifest destiny. While Lincoln is often celebrated for preserving the Union and abolishing slavery, his policies also had significant negative
impacts on Native American communities, making him a controversial figure from their perspective.
In summary, while George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are celebrated for their
contributions to the United States, their legacies are deeply contentious for Native Americans. Their policies and actions often led to the displacement, marginalization, and
mistreatment of Native American communities. Mount Rushmore, as a monument to these presidents, stands as a powerful symbol of this complex and painful history. The monument’s
location in the Black Hills, a sacred site for the Lakota Sioux, only deepens its significance as a contentious symbol in the ongoing struggle for Native American rights and
recognition.
