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Lincoln and the Indians: Civil War Policy and Politics
"Lincoln and the Indians has stood the test of time and offers this generation of readers a valuable interpretation of the U.S. government's Indian policies—and sometimes the lack thereof—during the Civil War era. Providing a critical perspective on Lincoln's role, Nichols sets forth an especially incisive analysis of the trial of participants in the Dakota War of 1862 in Minnesota and Lincoln's role in sparing the lives of most of those who were convicted." — James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom
"For the Dakota people, the Indian System started with the doctrine of discovery and continued through Abraham Lincoln's presidency and beyond. The United States was bound to protect the rights of Indian parties. But in the end, the guilty were glorified and the laws for humanity disgraced. This book tells that story, and it should be required reading at all educational institutions." —Sheldon Wolfchild, independent filmmaker, artist, and actor
"Undoubtedly the best book published on Indian affairs in the years of Lincoln's presidency." —American Historical Review
"For the Dakota people, the Indian System started with the doctrine of discovery and continued through Abraham Lincoln's presidency and beyond. The United States was bound to protect the rights of Indian parties. But in the end, the guilty were glorified and the laws for humanity disgraced. This book tells that story, and it should be required reading at all educational institutions." —Sheldon Wolfchild, independent filmmaker, artist, and actor
"Undoubtedly the best book published on Indian affairs in the years of Lincoln's presidency." —American Historical Review
232 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 22, 2022
A Chapter In A History Of Sadness
This is a paperback reprint of a book published in 1978. The message today is as timely as it was then -- or, for that matter as it was during Civil War America. Professor Nichols' book is a good overview of Indian policy during the Civil War-- an often overlooked part of the Lincoln story.
The book begins with an overview of the system of Indian administration as it had developed by 1860. It was dominated by the political spoils system and by corruption resulting from the power accorded to the Indian agents. As a master of the art of pragmatic politics, Lincoln used the system -- as he needed to do--to hold the Union together-resulting in tragedy for too many of our country's Indian wards.
The book discusses the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma (then Indian territory) and their relationship to both the Union and the Confederacy. The story picks up focus, though, in the discussion of the Minnesota Sioux rebellion, the summary trials and capital sentences of over 300 Sioux Indians, and Lincoln's remission of the death sentence in all but 39 cases. Nichols tells this story well, perhaps giving Lincoln's actions less credit and less courage than they may deserve.
The book discusses Lincoln's attempts in 1862 to reform Indian policy, which were defeated by War exigencies and by Congressional inaction. Nichols discusses a famous meeting held between Lincoln and the Indian chiefs in 1863 in the White House, again perhaps undervaluing Lincoln's intentions and the difficulties he faced.
The book considers the policy resulting from the Sioux war of concentrating the Indians under the control of the military with unsuccessful and inhumane results in Arizona and New Mexico. The book also includes an account of the too little known Sand Hill Massacre in Colorado in 1864.
The treatment of the American Indians does not constitute one of our nation's or of President Lincoln's prouder accomplishments. Professor Nichols is correct that this story deserves to be known as part of our history. The book ties Lincoln's treatment of the Indians to prevailing ideologies at the time involving a disrespect of cultural differences, to westward expansion, industrialization, the political patronage system, and, first and foremost, the Civil War. Even Nichols appears to acknowledge that given the War, there was little that might have been done differently at the time in the way of systematic reform.
As is unfortunately the case with most histories of Indian affairs, it is easier, as Nichols does, to find a great deal of deserved fault than it is to develop answers, as he does not. This book is worth reading as a good history of Indian affairs during the Civil War era.
Robin Friedman
This is a paperback reprint of a book published in 1978. The message today is as timely as it was then -- or, for that matter as it was during Civil War America. Professor Nichols' book is a good overview of Indian policy during the Civil War-- an often overlooked part of the Lincoln story.
The book begins with an overview of the system of Indian administration as it had developed by 1860. It was dominated by the political spoils system and by corruption resulting from the power accorded to the Indian agents. As a master of the art of pragmatic politics, Lincoln used the system -- as he needed to do--to hold the Union together-resulting in tragedy for too many of our country's Indian wards.
The book discusses the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma (then Indian territory) and their relationship to both the Union and the Confederacy. The story picks up focus, though, in the discussion of the Minnesota Sioux rebellion, the summary trials and capital sentences of over 300 Sioux Indians, and Lincoln's remission of the death sentence in all but 39 cases. Nichols tells this story well, perhaps giving Lincoln's actions less credit and less courage than they may deserve.
The book discusses Lincoln's attempts in 1862 to reform Indian policy, which were defeated by War exigencies and by Congressional inaction. Nichols discusses a famous meeting held between Lincoln and the Indian chiefs in 1863 in the White House, again perhaps undervaluing Lincoln's intentions and the difficulties he faced.
The book considers the policy resulting from the Sioux war of concentrating the Indians under the control of the military with unsuccessful and inhumane results in Arizona and New Mexico. The book also includes an account of the too little known Sand Hill Massacre in Colorado in 1864.
The treatment of the American Indians does not constitute one of our nation's or of President Lincoln's prouder accomplishments. Professor Nichols is correct that this story deserves to be known as part of our history. The book ties Lincoln's treatment of the Indians to prevailing ideologies at the time involving a disrespect of cultural differences, to westward expansion, industrialization, the political patronage system, and, first and foremost, the Civil War. Even Nichols appears to acknowledge that given the War, there was little that might have been done differently at the time in the way of systematic reform.
As is unfortunately the case with most histories of Indian affairs, it is easier, as Nichols does, to find a great deal of deserved fault than it is to develop answers, as he does not. This book is worth reading as a good history of Indian affairs during the Civil War era.
Robin Friedman
October 13, 2017
Lincoln's Indian problems during the American Civil War are examined to include the Confederacy's attempts to recruit the Native Americans of Indian Territory [Oklahoma] and the Sioux uprising in Minnesota. This work provides an interesting take on the Civil War.
November 2, 2021
An academic look at Indian policy during the Civil War.
Whereas Scott Berg (38 Nooses) gives us a character-driven narrative, Nichols provides an in-depth look specifically at the Indian system during the Civil War period. Lincoln and the Indians is an academic treatise, in fact, the book is derived from the author’s doctoral dissertation. While much drier than Berg, Nichols provides a more detailed look of our national treatment of Native Americans throughout history and the country.
Nichols begins in what is now Oklahoma, then “Indian Territory.” Lincoln, as did all his predecessors, relied on congressmen and local leaders in each area to fill out the patronage system of Indian agents and traders. With the Civil War raging around him, he took little interest in Native American affairs. While there was substantial anti-slavery activism, there was almost non-existent pressure to reform a system that had been in place since the beginning of our country. Codified when Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Indian system routinely forced Native populations westward. Most notably was the “Trail of Tears,” in which 100,000 members of the “Five Civilized Tribes” were forced out of the land cotton plantation owners wanted in the South and into smaller and less desirable land in Oklahoma and beyond. Seeing little reform under Lincoln, Native leaders felt that the man they called “Our Great Father” had abandoned them.
Nichols does delve into the Dakota uprising, its causes and results, and Lincoln’s review of the cases. Unlike the Berg book, this book presents the points dispassionately and devoid of personal storylines; it’s an academic treatment of an intensely emotional event. On the other hand, while Lincoln in Berg’s book is largely absent, Nichols digs deeper into Lincoln’s actions throughout the war. We see a Lincoln who would like to organize Indian soldiers helping the Union (many had joined up with the Confederacy and held black slaves of their own); and yet, this idea is never carried out and eventually given up. We also see Lincoln more involved with decision-making in the southwest and in Minnesota. In particular, we see him making an effort at reform, although limited and doomed to failure without public support. We see a Lincoln more in tuned with Bishop Whipple, who pleads for the lives of the Dakota sentenced to death. We see both the good and the bad about Lincoln’s attitudes—Nichols seems to emphasize the former but does give credence to the latter—attitudes that were both in conformance with the overall national belief that Native populations were a dying race while also believing they should be treated with greater respect and fairness. Lincoln never got his chance to fulfill his promise to begin reforming the Indian system, which he would have found difficult, or impossible, given the long history and long continuing activity.
These two books almost by necessity should be read in tandem. One provides a detailed examination of policy and politics; the other, a more personal narrative of one specific event. Together they help flesh out an aspect of our history that has been largely overlooked, but perhaps more recently has awakened in the public mind.
Whereas Scott Berg (38 Nooses) gives us a character-driven narrative, Nichols provides an in-depth look specifically at the Indian system during the Civil War period. Lincoln and the Indians is an academic treatise, in fact, the book is derived from the author’s doctoral dissertation. While much drier than Berg, Nichols provides a more detailed look of our national treatment of Native Americans throughout history and the country.
Nichols begins in what is now Oklahoma, then “Indian Territory.” Lincoln, as did all his predecessors, relied on congressmen and local leaders in each area to fill out the patronage system of Indian agents and traders. With the Civil War raging around him, he took little interest in Native American affairs. While there was substantial anti-slavery activism, there was almost non-existent pressure to reform a system that had been in place since the beginning of our country. Codified when Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Indian system routinely forced Native populations westward. Most notably was the “Trail of Tears,” in which 100,000 members of the “Five Civilized Tribes” were forced out of the land cotton plantation owners wanted in the South and into smaller and less desirable land in Oklahoma and beyond. Seeing little reform under Lincoln, Native leaders felt that the man they called “Our Great Father” had abandoned them.
Nichols does delve into the Dakota uprising, its causes and results, and Lincoln’s review of the cases. Unlike the Berg book, this book presents the points dispassionately and devoid of personal storylines; it’s an academic treatment of an intensely emotional event. On the other hand, while Lincoln in Berg’s book is largely absent, Nichols digs deeper into Lincoln’s actions throughout the war. We see a Lincoln who would like to organize Indian soldiers helping the Union (many had joined up with the Confederacy and held black slaves of their own); and yet, this idea is never carried out and eventually given up. We also see Lincoln more involved with decision-making in the southwest and in Minnesota. In particular, we see him making an effort at reform, although limited and doomed to failure without public support. We see a Lincoln more in tuned with Bishop Whipple, who pleads for the lives of the Dakota sentenced to death. We see both the good and the bad about Lincoln’s attitudes—Nichols seems to emphasize the former but does give credence to the latter—attitudes that were both in conformance with the overall national belief that Native populations were a dying race while also believing they should be treated with greater respect and fairness. Lincoln never got his chance to fulfill his promise to begin reforming the Indian system, which he would have found difficult, or impossible, given the long history and long continuing activity.
These two books almost by necessity should be read in tandem. One provides a detailed examination of policy and politics; the other, a more personal narrative of one specific event. Together they help flesh out an aspect of our history that has been largely overlooked, but perhaps more recently has awakened in the public mind.
October 8, 2018
This is one of those books that will do two things:
1) it will make you ashamed of being white
2) it will show you the politics have been
corrupt for a long time!!
I have always felt that the Native Americans have every right to be bitter towards whites and reading this gives you a whole no insight as to why.
1) it will make you ashamed of being white
2) it will show you the politics have been
corrupt for a long time!!
I have always felt that the Native Americans have every right to be bitter towards whites and reading this gives you a whole no insight as to why.
November 3, 2013
Important and depressing stories of the treatment of Indians during the Civil Way. Essentially two distinct parts. The first was mess that was Indian Territory (later Oklahoma) during the Civil War, where both sides used the Indians there as pawns when it suited them, and ignored them when they were a nuisance. The second was up in Minnesota, where greed and corruption lead to starvation and ultimately the outbreak of war between bands of Lakotas and small farm communities along the frontier. This forced Lincoln was forced to draw Union forces away from the Civil War, and the brutal "justice" afterwards led to the largest mass military execution in US history.
The writing is straightforward and to the point, which makes it readable if not necessarily gripping.
The writing is straightforward and to the point, which makes it readable if not necessarily gripping.
March 21, 2013
gripping portrayal of the greed in the Lincoln administration
May 7, 2013
So very depressing. Ugh!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews