Depredation and Deceit
«Gregory F. Michno demonstrates in meticulous detail that the scale of attempted fraud associated with the Trade and Intercourse Acts throughout northern New Mexico was even worse than previously assumed. He also reveals the interconnections between depredations claimants, army contractors, and local boosters, as well as the impact that their never-ending allegations had on federal policy with the Jicarillas and Utes.""
Robert Wooster, author of The American Military Frontiers: The United States Army in the West, 1783 - 1900
Gregory Michno has an engaging writing style. His description and analysis of a tragedy that was ultimately the result of a widespread campaign of lies and fraud, pursuant to fleecing the system and ultimately the native population, is clear and compelling…As Michno states, ""Manifest Destiny, depicted in paintings as an angelic woman in a diaphanous white gown floating serenely, yet watchfully, over the immigrants heading west, was quite a bitch in reality."" (p. 245) - The Journal of America's Military Past»
The Trade and Intercourse Acts passed by Congress between 1796 and 1834 set up a system for individuals to receive monetary compensation from the federal government for property stolen or destroyed by American Indians. Les mer
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Tasked with responding to white settlers' depredation claims and gaining restitution directly from Indian groups, soldiers typically had no choice but to search out often-innocent Indians and demand compensation or the surrender of the guilty party, turning once-friendly bands into enemy groups whenever these tense encounters exploded in violence. As the situation became more volatile, citizens demanded a greater army presence in the region, and lucrative military contracts became yet another reason to encourage the continuation of frontier violence. Although the records are replete with officers questioning accusations and discovering civilians' deceit, more often than not the army was forced to act in direct counterpoint to its duties as a constabulary force. And whenever war broke out, the acquisition of more Indian land and wealth began the cycle of greed and violence all over again.
The Trade and Intercourse Acts were manipulated by Anglo-Americans who ensured the continuation of the very conflicts that they claimed to abhor and that the acts were designed to prevent. In bringing these machinations to light, Michno's book deepens - and darkens - our understanding of the conquest of the American Southwest.
Detaljer
- Forlag
- University of Oklahoma Press
- Innbinding
- Innbundet
- Språk
- Engelsk
- ISBN
- 9780806157696
- Utgivelsesår
- 2017
- Format
- 23 x 15 cm
Anmeldelser
«Gregory F. Michno demonstrates in meticulous detail that the scale of attempted fraud associated with the Trade and Intercourse Acts throughout northern New Mexico was even worse than previously assumed. He also reveals the interconnections between depredations claimants, army contractors, and local boosters, as well as the impact that their never-ending allegations had on federal policy with the Jicarillas and Utes.""
Robert Wooster, author of The American Military Frontiers: The United States Army in the West, 1783 - 1900
Gregory Michno has an engaging writing style. His description and analysis of a tragedy that was ultimately the result of a widespread campaign of lies and fraud, pursuant to fleecing the system and ultimately the native population, is clear and compelling…As Michno states, ""Manifest Destiny, depicted in paintings as an angelic woman in a diaphanous white gown floating serenely, yet watchfully, over the immigrants heading west, was quite a bitch in reality."" (p. 245) - The Journal of America's Military Past»