Dow Jones’s Reviews > The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History > Status Update

The Articles of Confederation fail in enforcing any laws, so the Constitutional Convention establishes our 3-tiered system and it becomes obvious colonialism is about to reach new heights as Indians are barely mentioned & land acquisition & the standing army are more intimidating than state militias. Now onto Part II - Struggles for Sovereignty.

Washington’s fed up with western expansion squatters and how the land scramble is devaluing property and risking Native relations. He says Indians have sovereignty over their lands and can act as they see fit, as well as expanding his beliefs on republicanism and a stronger government to deal with land settlements and tribal relations. Subsequent presidents spent more time in Europe than America, so only he knows.

As GW retires from military service, states struggle with control and start printing their own currencies which further inflation and contribute nothing to national debt. The founding documents are drafted & implemented w/ little support. Natives keep getting pushed west or north & side w/ British. So many unpaid soldiers (2yrs+) and government distrust is high.

The Paxton Boys (later Black Boys) were such cowards, as was Lieutenant Charles Grant for turning over criminals because he didn’t know if he had any power to keep them. Colonists kept pushing Indians west or killing them & blocking British trading missions. Now it jumps from 1765, glosses over a decade of most important independence, and seems to resume in 1783. Too many details missing between chapters.

British colonists & Amherst really give up on peace w/ Indians so they continue to have power struggles. Colonists also grow tired of soldiers & lack of government (enforcement). Amherst is the one who started passing out smallpox blankets to “reduce their power, extirpate them, & it’s for the security of their future.” Fucking nuts. Totally lawless during these 1760s.

The British empire grows exponentially as the French flee but the colonists start to grow weary of the crown after seeing they can deal with Indian relations on their own. Natives tell them it’s not British land, but theirs, and tensions rise to take land from them and push Natives out. Britain was also gain too much land too quickly so they couldn’t pay international soldiers as they’re already in growing debt

interesting lead up to the 7 Years War w/ Washington just starting out and making many mistakes in his first campaign leading British forces into the interior. French had empty promises of trades & stockpiled furs w/ nothing in return for Natives, so English took up the trade. GW misunderstood Native sentiments for French & thought they’d fight w/ him but they sided w/ French, forcing GW surrender, & he’s bitter.

My new favorite name: Fort Michilimackinac

Getting into the 1700s with the Iroquois still running the show and trying to maintain peace between France & Britain for trade purposes. Pushing further into the interior near the Great Lakes, Missouri River, towards the Mississippi River.

The Iroquois are extremely resilient in their survival and they pit tribes & countries against each other. 1701 Great Settlement gave New France peace as French leaders acted as intermediaries to settle tribal disputes. Power and sovereignty were fairly distributed and even though French accounts are paternal, these Indians were products of the new world too so it was inevitable to find peace and acceptance.