Most Impressive Native American Leader
Haley Aldridge
History 1302
Bruce 6th
Most Impressive Native American Leader
After the Civil War the United States looked westward to expand the nation to
the Pacific Ocean. An impediment to westward expansion was Native Americans
already occupying an claiming large territories. Most Native Americans did not
understand the scope or magnitude of the hordes of people moving west. The
primitive tribes of Native America were unprepared to deal with the magnitude
of change that was to be forced on them. As with most people in times of need,
Native American leaders emerged out of necessity. Geronimo, Chief Joseph and
Sitting Bull were three Native Americans leaders who lived in different geographic
regions of the western territories and were members of different tribes. Each
gained notoriety as impressive Native American leaders. Of the three, Sitting
Bull was the most impressive leader.
Geronimo, an Apache and member of the Bedonkohe group, lived in Northern
Mexico bordering the current states of Arizona and New Mexico. Geronimo lived
in peace until Mexican troops attacked his village in his absence. His mother,
wife, three children and many other villagers were murdered.1
Enraged and bent on revenge, Geronimo was part of a group of warriors sent to
exact revenge on the Mexican Army Garrison thought to be responsible for the
attack on the Apache village.2 A trap was set, the Mexican soldiers from the
garrison gave chase. All but one was killed. The captain was captured alive and
set on fire within sight of his village.3 Rage and the need for revenge defined the
rest of Geronimo's life.
Geronimo, along with small bands of Apaches, continued to raid settlements and
murder remote settlers in northern Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico. The Tribal
Apaches west and north of the Bedonkohe. Apaches signed a treaty and agreed to
move to a reservation.4 Geronimo did
History 1302
Bruce 6th
Most Impressive Native American Leader
After the Civil War the United States looked westward to expand the nation to
the Pacific Ocean. An impediment to westward expansion was Native Americans
already occupying an claiming large territories. Most Native Americans did not
understand the scope or magnitude of the hordes of people moving west. The
primitive tribes of Native America were unprepared to deal with the magnitude
of change that was to be forced on them. As with most people in times of need,
Native American leaders emerged out of necessity. Geronimo, Chief Joseph and
Sitting Bull were three Native Americans leaders who lived in different geographic
regions of the western territories and were members of different tribes. Each
gained notoriety as impressive Native American leaders. Of the three, Sitting
Bull was the most impressive leader.
Geronimo, an Apache and member of the Bedonkohe group, lived in Northern
Mexico bordering the current states of Arizona and New Mexico. Geronimo lived
in peace until Mexican troops attacked his village in his absence. His mother,
wife, three children and many other villagers were murdered.1
Enraged and bent on revenge, Geronimo was part of a group of warriors sent to
exact revenge on the Mexican Army Garrison thought to be responsible for the
attack on the Apache village.2 A trap was set, the Mexican soldiers from the
garrison gave chase. All but one was killed. The captain was captured alive and
set on fire within sight of his village.3 Rage and the need for revenge defined the
rest of Geronimo's life.
Geronimo, along with small bands of Apaches, continued to raid settlements and
murder remote settlers in northern Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico. The Tribal
Apaches west and north of the Bedonkohe. Apaches signed a treaty and agreed to
move to a reservation.4 Geronimo did