American Indian Boarding Schools: How and Why

To understand the reasons behind and the goals of the American Indian Boarding Schools, you will need to take a quick tour through the battles that were fought between the American Indian and the United States to familiarize yourself with the history of what the United States referred to as "the Indian problem."  Beginning with the 1637 Massacre of Mystic in Mystic, Connecticut and formally ending in December of 1890 with the Massacre at Wounded Knee, American Indians resisted ceding their territories, ways of life and spiritual beliefs to the United States.   

Linked to this page are two articles and several videos that will help you begin to understand the scope and nature of the interactions between American Indians and the colonies/United States during the time period from mid-1600's to late 1800's.  Your teacher will also provide you materials from Activity Two: Manifest Destiny that you will read, complete and discuss.