1.How does Tecumseh need to convince the Osage people that the “white men” are dangerous and not to be trusted?
2. Do you think that Tecumseh’s grievances against the white men are an accurate reflection of 19th century euro American attitudes about Indian people? Which of his grievances do you feel to be the most egregious? How and why?
3. What does this speech tell you about Tecumseh? What kind of man was he? Do you think Tecumseh’s speech successfully united the Indian nations? How and why?
4. Regarding the Cherokee nation, Two Documents on Cherokee Removal, what did the author of the congressional message mean when he said, “the strength of the Redman has become his weakness”?
5. The author claims that “in addition to that first rights, the right of inheritance and peaceable possession, we have the faith and pledge of the United States, repeated, entreaties made at various times. By these treaties our rights as a separate people are distinctly acknowledged and guarantees given that they shall be secured and protected”. What is meant by “the right of inheritance and peaceable possession”? How is this claim related to the issue of tribal sovereignty? What is a treaty? How do the Cherokee interpretations of the treaties differ from those of the United States?
6. The authors referenced the 1790 Intercourse Act that placed nearly all interaction between Indian and non-Indians under federal not state control, established the boundaries of Indian country, protected Indian lands against non-Indian aggression, subjected trading with Indians to federal regulation, and stipulated that injuries against Indians by non-Indians was a federal crime. The conduct of Indians among themselves while in Indian country was left entirely to the tribes. How do these grievances in this entry violate the spirit and law of the Intercourse Act?
7. According to Lewis Ross ET AL, what are the authors primary arguments against removal? Which do you think is their strongest argument?
8. What do the authors believe will become of the Cherokee nation if they are forced to remove themselves from their ancestral lands?
9. Why do you think their arguments did not end the removal of the Cherokees?
10. According to black hawk’s surrender speech, Blackhawks message is one of defiance, dismay, and dignity. What specific examples illustrate each of these characteristics?
11. How does Black Hawk describe white men? How are these descriptions similar to those of other Indian descriptions of white men in this chapter?
12. What cultural differences between American Indians and the white man are evident in this century? Do you think matters could have been handled differently to bridge the gap between such differences? How and why?
