Immigration Socratic Seminar

How did Manifest Destiny shape American attitudes towards western expansion?

-God given right & duty to expand westwards

-felt it was their mission

-justified taking NA land & from other countries

How do you think the outcome of the Mexican-American War changed the United States position as a world power? Lasting effects on their relations?

-territorial reach and resources increased

-more natural resources, settlements, farming, mining, trade, etc

-first major US armed conflict on foreign soil

-more confident internationally

-mistrust and resentment

-Mexico fearful about internal affairs

-didnt align with US during Cold War

-trade barriers (American products too expensive)

What economic, social and political factors drove Americans to expand westwards?

Economic:

-land and farming

-resources

-trade and transportation

Social:

-manifest destiny

-population growth

Political:

-national power & security

-government support

How has portrayal of Indigenous people in media and education shaped American society’s understanding of indigenous history?

-stereotypes of them being violent, attacking our people

-erased their sides of the story as “losers”

Many indigenous cultures emphasize community, cooperation, and reciprocity with the land, how do these ideas differ from American Values

-community

-land isnt something to own or exploit, connected to and must take care for

-individualism

-success measured by personal achievement & wealth

-property used to develop & use for economic gain

How might Battle of Little Bighorn be seen as both a victory and a loss for the Indigenous tribes involved?

-defeated the US Army led by Custer

-temporary defense of the land

-boosted morale

-short term impact

-increased US aggression

-military sent additional US troops to suppress the tribes

-public reaction, outrage, demand for retribution

-government determination to subdue NA resistance, accelerate relocation to reservations

What are the main arguments the Lakota make for reclaiming the Black Hills, and how do they support these claims? What ethical or legal principles do you think should guide land restitution?

-took the land without consent, broke their treaties

-central to religious ceremonies and traditions

-money cannot replace sacred land, restoration of land

Why is the mass execution of 38 Dakota men not included in history books?

-challenges the idea of America being a just nation

-government injustice, violence, broken treaties

-unimportant suffering