A
major problem in the nineteenth century was westward expansion. Although the
final outcome was good, it was a struggle to move the country into the
wilderness. The government was greedy and wanted to take the Native Americans'
land away from them. As a political leader in that time, I would not allow such
a thing to happen. The Indians would be treated with respect and able to keep
their land. The white Americans would be expected to treat them as equals,
rather than savages. As depicted in "Dances With Wolves," soldiers
ruthlessly killed Indians on sight. They didn't care if they were a threat or not because
they were told by their superiors the Indians either had to be moved or
eliminated. Even though the natives often had more intelligent philosophies than
the whites, Americans viewed them as primitive and unintelligent. As a
government figure, I would introduce laws that banned the mistreatment of
natives. Any harmful act toward them would be strictly forbidden. Americans have
no right to feel that they are better than any other race. The worst act by
Americans in the nineteenth century would have to be Indian removal. The main
point I would make in my government term is do not take another man's land, no
matter what color they are. As America moved westward, the white people could
settle around then natives, rather than take their land. They could live and
work together, and the natives could help the whites settle in return for food
or fur. Most Indian tribes wouldn't mind sharing because they believed no one
owns land, it all belongs to mother earth. This system could benefit the whites,
save lives, and prevent hostility between whites and natives. Native Americans
did not deserve to be treated the way they were. The US was very ignorant and
did not want to believe that Indians could be good. My plan would create peace
between the two. It would be best for the United States if the Indians and
whites had gotten along and worked together.