Why Is Native American Genocide One Of History's Least Discussed Atrocities?

Have you ever wondered why the genocide of Native Americans rarely makes it into mainstream discussions about historical atrocities? As we reflect on this painful chapter of American history, we at FreeAstroScience.com welcome you to an exploration of what many historians consider one of the most overlooked genocides in world history. This article delves into the systematic destruction of Native American communities, cultures, and lands—a process that began with European colonization and continues to impact indigenous communities today. We encourage our dear readers to stay with us until the end, as understanding this history is crucial not only for honoring the experiences of Native peoples but also for building a more just and inclusive society.

The Undeniable Reality of Native American Genocide

What exactly constitutes genocide in the Native American context?

When we discuss genocide, many immediately think of the Holocaust or Rwanda. But the systematic destruction of Native American populations meets the criteria defined by the United Nations. Genocide includes acts committed with intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group—something Native Americans experienced across multiple fronts.

The sheer population loss tells a devastating story. Most scholars agree that there was a 95% decrease in the Native American population between Columbus's arrival in 1492 and the end of the 19th century[6]. This catastrophic decline resulted from direct violence, deliberate exposure to diseases, and creation of inhospitable living conditions.

Some argue that there wasn't a unified intent to destroy all Native Americans, but rather a series of separate genocidal events. For instance, the elimination of Native Americans in California during the Gold Rush had a clear genocidal intent—settlers and prospectors were encouraged to murder entire villages because Native Americans were "in the way" of settlement[5]. In California alone, approximately 95% of the Native population perished as a result[5].

Why is this history so often minimized or misrepresented?

The denial and minimization of Native American genocide persist partly because of how American history is taught. Many textbooks frame these events euphemistically as "westward expansion" or "manifest destiny" rather than calling them what they were—ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Unlike other recognized genocides, the Native American genocide spans centuries rather than years, making it harder to conceptualize. It's also uncomfortable for a nation built on ideas of freedom and democracy to confront its foundation in land theft and mass killing.

The revisionism around Native American genocide is particularly troubling. While Holocaust denial is widely condemned, the minimization of Native American suffering is often accepted in mainstream discourse[5]. This discrepancy reveals deep-rooted biases in how we memorialize different historical atrocities.

The Mechanisms of Destruction

How was land theft used as a weapon of genocide?

Land dispossession was central to the Native American genocide. The United States has a long history of acquiring Native American land through government acts and treaties made in bad faith[4]. Some treaties contained secret provisions written only in English, while others were signed by individuals who had no authority to represent Native nations[4].

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 formalized this process, forcing many indigenous peoples east of the Mississippi from their lands[7]. Despite the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Cherokee Nation in 1832, thousands of federal soldiers entered tribal territories in 1838 and forcibly relocated the Cherokees[12].

This forced removal resulted in the infamous Trail of Tears, where thousands died during the 1,000-mile march to the established Indian Territory[12]. In total, around 60,000 people from the "Five Civilized Tribes" (Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw) were forcibly relocated between 1830 and 1850[7]. The death toll from this forced displacement is estimated between 13,200 and 16,700 people[7].

Today, just over 56 million acres exist as Native American reservations—merely 2% of the ancestral indigenous land that once comprised the United States[4]. The Muwekma Ohlone map demonstrates how much land tribes once legally owned that was never ceded through ratified treaty[3].

How did boarding schools serve as instruments of cultural genocide?

"Kill the Indian...and save the man" was the founding mission of Richard H. Pratt, who established the Indian boarding school system[17]. This massive federal project separated thousands of Native American children from their families and placed them in state-run institutions designed to erase their cultural identity.

Parents who refused to send their children could be legally imprisoned and deprived of essential resources[17]. At these schools, children experienced severe trauma—their hair was cut, their traditional clothes burned, they were given English names, and they were forbidden from speaking their native languages[14].

The punishments for maintaining cultural practices were brutal. Children were often beaten for speaking their languages. One survivor recalled seeing boys' spirits broken as their braids—which held spiritual power and tied them to their tribal identity—fell to the floor[8].

Sexual and physical abuse was rampant. Survivors report being paddled or whipped with a cat-o'-nine-tails, and subjected to "gauntlets" where children were ordered to get completely naked while others were forced to hit them with belts[14]. Some were doused with freezing water from fire hoses as punishment[14].

This cultural erasure has had lasting consequences. The English-only policy at boarding schools is the primary reason so many Native languages are now on the brink of extinction[8]. This systematic destruction continued until 1978 when the Indian Child Welfare Act finally gave parents the right to prevent family separation[8][17].

The Ongoing Impact of Historical Trauma

How does historical trauma continue to affect Native communities today?

The concept of historical trauma suggests that suffering experienced by one generation is passed on to subsequent generations through biological, psychological, environmental, and social means[6]. This "legacy of chronic trauma and unresolved grief across generations" continues to affect many Native Americans today[6].

Statistics tell a sobering story. According to Indian Health Services, Native Americans die from all causes at 1.3 times the rate compared to all other races in the United States, including higher rates of heart disease, influenza, pneumonia, and kidney disease[6].

The trauma disrupted not just individuals but entire communities. When boarding school survivors returned home, they struggled to relate to their families after being taught it was wrong to speak their language or practice their religion[8]. As Professor Doug Kiel of Northwestern University explains, "Through breaking bonds to culture, they broke bonds to one another. It's a way of destroying a community"[8].

Many Native Americans today are working to reclaim their cultural heritage despite these challenges. The 2010 census showed a remarkable 40% increase in people identifying as Native American compared to 2000, suggesting a renewed pride in Native heritage[3]. This growth reflects more people asserting their ancestry instead of hiding it—a positive sign amid ongoing struggles.

What efforts exist to preserve and revitalize Native American culture?

Despite the devastating losses, indigenous communities are fighting to preserve their cultures. The National Park Service now works with Native Historic Preservation Officers elected by tribal governments to reclaim rights to tribal culture and heritage[15]. Through these programs, grants and technical assistance are available for indigenous heritage preservation.

Tribes in California are working to ensure schools reflect the students they serve, with curriculum that incorporates their language, culture, and traditions[17]. They're also partnering with organizations like the ACLU to end disciplinary practices that target Native students and to ensure proper allocation of funds earmarked for high-need students[17].

These preservation efforts face unique challenges. Traditional culture often features oral traditions passed down through generations without formal documentation. The very act of preservation or documentation may sometimes conflict with tribal cultural philosophy. Finding the balance between conservation and allowing for natural cultural evolution remains complex.

Confronting Historical Amnesia

Why must we acknowledge this history?

Recognition is the first step toward healing. By acknowledging the full extent of the Native American genocide—not as a series of unfortunate events but as a systematic campaign of destruction—we begin to honor the experiences of indigenous communities and create space for meaningful reconciliation.

The denial of this history perpetuates harm. As James Anaya, former UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, documented in his 2012 report, many injustices remain unaddressed. For instance, descendants of victims of the Sand Creek Massacre still haven't received promised compensation, despite an agreement with the U.S. government[2].

We must also recognize that this history isn't confined to textbooks—it continues to shape contemporary realities. Native communities still face disproportionate rates of poverty, health disparities, and environmental injustice. Understanding these issues requires acknowledging their historical roots in genocide and dispossession.

What can we do to support healing and justice?

Education is crucial. We need honest, comprehensive teaching about Native American history in schools—not sanitized versions that gloss over genocide. The Zinn Education Project provides resources for "teaching outside the textbook" about events like the Trail of Tears.

Supporting Native-led organizations working on cultural revitalization, land rights, and community healing represents another important step. Many tribes are fighting to preserve languages on the brink of extinction and to protect sacred sites from development.

Advocating for policy changes that honor treaty obligations and address historical injustices is equally important. This includes supporting legislation that strengthens tribal sovereignty and ensures adequate funding for services in Native communities.

Conclusion: Remembering as an Act of Justice

As we've explored throughout this article, the genocide of Native Americans represents one of history's most overlooked atrocities—a systematic campaign of destruction that targeted people, land, and culture. From the Trail of Tears to boarding schools, the mechanisms of this genocide were varied but shared the common goal of eliminating indigenous presence and identity from the American landscape.

The consequences of this history continue today in the form of historical trauma, cultural loss, and ongoing struggles for recognition and justice. Yet amid these challenges, Native communities demonstrate remarkable resilience, working to revitalize languages, reclaim cultural practices, and assert their sovereignty.

By acknowledging this difficult history, we at FreeAstroScience.com believe we take an essential step toward healing. True reconciliation requires facing uncomfortable truths about our collective past. It means moving beyond silence and amnesia toward recognition, responsibility, and repair. We invite you to continue learning about this history, to support Native-led organizations, and to join in the work of creating a more just future—one that honors the experiences, rights, and wisdom of indigenous peoples.

Citations:

[2] https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zy/gb/202405/t20240531_11367454.html

[3] https://muwekma.org/blog/2024/march/the-struggle-to-save-native-american-culture.html

[4] https://www.britannica.com/video/Shrinking-Native-American-lands-in-the-United-States-indigenous-peoples/-247369

[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/history/comments/5zunoz/why_is_the_genocide_of_the_native_american/

[6] https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/goldstein-center-for-human-rights/_files/images/brumfield_hr_essay_submission.pdf

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

[8] https://airc.ucsc.edu/resources/schools-little.pdf

[9] https://savingplaces.org/files/preserving-native-american-places-by-will-cook

[10] https://study.com/learn/lesson/native-american-genocide-history.html

[11] https://www.nps.gov/articles/negotiating-identity.htm

[12] https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/immigration/native-american/removing-native-americans-from-their-land/