Ben Franklin- The Futility of Educating the Indians (Questions)

  1. Explain how BF felt about the Indian children returning to their culture. What were the teachers trying to teach the Indian children?
  2. Where did BF say all the Indian “wants” came from?
  3. How did BF comment about the Indian way of life in regards to hunting or surprising the enemy?
  4. The Indians interacted with the settlers. Define BF’s opinion on what the Indians were looking for.
  5. Read an excerpt of a Speech by Powhatan, as recorded by John Smith, 1609….

----Why will you take by force what you may obtain by love? Why will you destroy us who supply you with food? What can you get by war? . . . We are unarmed, and willing to give you what you ask, if you come in a friendly manner. . . .

I am not so simple as not to know it is better to eat good meat, sleep comfortably, live quietly with my women and children, laugh and be merry with the English, and being their friend, trade for their copper and hatchets, than to run away from them. . . Take away your guns and swords, the cause of all our jealousy, or you may die in the same manner.

  1. How was the response of the Indians different from the perspective of the settlers?
  2. Explain the “tone” of the response of Powhatan
  3. What 3 things (from the notes) led to the demise of major Indian culture?
  4. Research and list what the historical outcome of the following were, regarding Indian treatment by the U.S Government. Write a brief description for each, along with the year it happened
  5. Trail of Tears
  6. Battle of Fallen Timbers
  7. Battle of Wounded Knee
  8. Northwest Ordinance
  9. Indian Removal Act