Question
Summary: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown is a historical account of the systematic displacement and destruction of Native American tribes during the westward expansion of the United States. The book is structured in a way that presents a detailed chronology of key events, battles, and policies that led to the suffering and eventual near-extermination of Native American peoples. Passage 1: In Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Dee Brown structures her text by focusing on the perspective of Native Americans during the westward expansion, highlighting their suffering, displacement, and destruction. One powerful passage describes the massacre at Sand Creek: "On the morning of November 29, 1864, a large force of about seven hundred men, mostly soldiers, attacked a camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho. The Indians had been given assurances of protection by the U.S. government, but the soldiers, under Colonel John Chivington, slaughtered over 150 men, women, and children. Chivington’s men burned the village, mutilated the bodies, and took trophies of the massacre." This passage illustrates the brutality and injustice faced by Native American communities as settlers and the U.S. government expanded westward. Brown’s account emphasizes the violation of trust and the violent treatment of indigenous peoples. Passage 2: In contrast, a passage from The Pioneer Girl by Laura Ingalls Wilder reflects the sense of adventure and progress many Americans associated with westward expansion: "We had to take care of ourselves and work hard, but the land was free for the taking. Every morning we woke to the sound of birds singing, and the open plains were ours to farm and to build. There was a great sense of hope as we settled this new territory, and I felt proud to be part of making this country great." This passage captures the optimism and determination of settlers who saw westward expansion as an opportunity to build a better life. Put it together in your mind: Consider these two differing perspectives of the same historical event, Westward Expansion. How are they connected, and how do they differ? How can differing perspectives of the same event provide a deeper understanding of history? Write: Choose one of the following to answer in the space below: Be sure to use the graphic organizers to help you write your answer. Option 1: Write a paragraph explaining how these two passages—one from Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee describing the Sand Creek Massacre and the other from The Pioneer Girl reflecting on the experience of westward expansion—differ in their portrayal of the impact of westward expansion on Native Americans and settlers. Use text evidence from each excerpt to support your ideas and inferences. Use this graphic organizer to plan your response: A – Answer: (think about the tone of each passage and the differences in each writer's experience. Consider the difference in perspective.) These two passages differ in their reflection of westward expansion because the first experience shows__________________, while the second shows__________________. C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 1: (what is the BEST quote that demonstrates the specific experience of the writer? For example, in the first passage the writer states “____________________________.” E – Explain in your own words: (first, retell the quote in your own words, THEN explain what this communicates to the reader!) This quote means______________________________, and shows us ______________________. C – Concrete details/evidence (passage 2) However, in the second passage the writer says, “_________________________________.” E – Explain in your own words (retell the quote in your own words, THEN explain what this communicates to the reader!) This quote means______________________________, and shows us ______________________. S- Summarize: (What conclusions can you draw about how information can be interpreted? Consider how far perspectives can differ on the same event, and include any final thoughts!) In conclusion, based on __________________________ and_____________________, we can understand __________________________. Therefore, _________________________________________.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### A – Answer:
These two passages differ in their reflection of westward expansion because the first experience shows the brutal violence and destruction inflicted on Native Americans during this period, while the second shows the optimism and opportunity perceived by settlers as they moved westward.
### C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 1:
In the first passage, the writer states, "On the morning of November 29, 1864, a large force of about seven hundred men…attacked a camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho."
### E – Explain in your own words:
This quote means that a significant military force launched a surprise attack on a group of Native Americans, and it shows us the scale of violence and betrayal faced by Indigenous communities, emphasizing the harsh reality of their displacement during the westward expansion.
### C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 2:
However, in the second passage the writer says, “We had to take care of ourselves and work hard, but the land was free for the taking.”
### E – Explain in your own words:
This quote means that settlers felt empowered and self-sufficient as they worked to claim land that they believed was unoccupied and available for farming. It shows us the perspective of settlers who viewed westward expansion as a great opportunity to create a better life for themselves and to contribute to the growth of the nation.
### S - Summarize:
In conclusion, based on the stark contrast between the violent repercussions for Native Americans and the hopeful aspirations of settlers, we can understand that historical events can be interpreted in drastically different ways depending on one’s perspective. Therefore, acknowledging these differing viewpoints is crucial to gaining a more nuanced understanding of history, as it illustrates the complex human experiences that shape a nation’s narrative.
These two passages differ in their reflection of westward expansion because the first experience shows the brutal violence and destruction inflicted on Native Americans during this period, while the second shows the optimism and opportunity perceived by settlers as they moved westward.
### C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 1:
In the first passage, the writer states, "On the morning of November 29, 1864, a large force of about seven hundred men…attacked a camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho."
### E – Explain in your own words:
This quote means that a significant military force launched a surprise attack on a group of Native Americans, and it shows us the scale of violence and betrayal faced by Indigenous communities, emphasizing the harsh reality of their displacement during the westward expansion.
### C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 2:
However, in the second passage the writer says, “We had to take care of ourselves and work hard, but the land was free for the taking.”
### E – Explain in your own words:
This quote means that settlers felt empowered and self-sufficient as they worked to claim land that they believed was unoccupied and available for farming. It shows us the perspective of settlers who viewed westward expansion as a great opportunity to create a better life for themselves and to contribute to the growth of the nation.
### S - Summarize:
In conclusion, based on the stark contrast between the violent repercussions for Native Americans and the hopeful aspirations of settlers, we can understand that historical events can be interpreted in drastically different ways depending on one’s perspective. Therefore, acknowledging these differing viewpoints is crucial to gaining a more nuanced understanding of history, as it illustrates the complex human experiences that shape a nation’s narrative.