Ep 8. Geronimo and the Apache Resistance
- TV-PG
- November 22, 1988
- 177 min
-
8.6 (60)
In the American Experience season 1 episode 8, titled "Geronimo and the Apache Resistance," viewers are taken back to the late 1800s, where the last Native American tribe left in the United States, the Apache, is being fought against by the U.S. military. The episode provides an in-depth look at the life of Geronimo, the notorious Apache leader who led his people against white settlers and the U.S. Army for decades.
Through interviews with historians and Native American descendants, as well as archival photographs and films, the episode delves into the Apache's longstanding battle with the U.S. government and the violence that ensued. The episode also explores the government's policy of forced assimilation, which aimed to "civilize" Native Americans through education and the destruction of cultural traditions.
Viewers will learn about Geronimo's strategy to wage guerrilla warfare against the U.S. Army, using his knowledge of the land and his people's ability to move quickly and silently. However, Geronimo's tactics would ultimately fail, as the U.S. Army grew more technologically advanced and determined to wipe out the Apache Indians.
Throughout the episode, viewers will witness the tragic consequences of this conflict, including the forced removal of the Apache from their ancestral lands and the death of countless women, children, and elders. Yet, the episode also highlights the resilience of the Apache people, who continue to honor their tradition and history despite the challenges they faced.
Overall, "Geronimo and the Apache Resistance" provides a compelling and detailed look at one of the longest and bloodiest wars in U.S. history and sheds light on the complicated relationship between the U.S. government and Native American tribes.