Native Peoples of North America Season 1 Episode 12 Indians, Manifest Destiny, and Uncivil Wars

In Native Peoples of North America season 1 episode 12, titled "Indians, Manifest Destiny, and Uncivil Wars," the viewer is taken on a journey through the tumultuous and violent history between Native American tribes and European settlers in the United States in the 1800s. The episode begins by exploring the concept of Manifest Destiny, a belief held by many Americans at the time that it was their divine right to expand westward and claim all the land they desired, including that which was already inhabited by indigenous peoples.

The episode highlights the devastating impact this belief had on Native American tribes, many of whom were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands or confined to reservations. The government's policies of assimilation and "civilizing" Native peoples were often violent and traumatic, such as the forced attendance of Native children in boarding schools, the outlawing of traditional practices, and the forced relocation of entire communities.

The episode also delves into the conflicts that arose between different Native American tribes as they were pushed into closer proximity due to displacement and relocation. The viewer is shown how these conflicts were exploited by the U.S. government and military, who saw them as an opportunity to divide and weaken Native peoples. The episode details several major battles, such as the Dakota War of 1862 and the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, where Native American resistance to encroachment and domination by Euro-American settlers was met with brutal force.

Throughout the episode, the viewer is presented with a variety of perspectives from both Native American and European American figures of the time, including the likes of Sitting Bull, George Armstrong Custer, and General Philip Sheridan. Historical accounts, archival footage, and photographs are used to help contextualize the complex and often tragic events that occurred during this period in American history.

Overall, "Indians, Manifest Destiny, and Uncivil Wars" is a thought-provoking and nuanced look at one of the darkest chapters in American history. Through the lens of this particular episode, the viewer is left with a deep appreciation for the resilience of Native American peoples in the face of extreme adversity, as well as a sobering reminder of the ongoing impacts of colonialism and forced assimilation on indigenous communities today.