Chapter 16 Flashcards
Cast System
comple interaction between the puevlos and the spanish produced a caste system in the southwest. TOp of caste=spanish/mexicans, pueblos were below Apaches, Nacajos, and others were at the bottom, known as genizaros, Indians without tribes, and in many ways they had become part of spanish society. Caste stystem reflceted how America was preocupied with racial ancestry–everyone had a clear place in the social hierarchy
mestizos
Half Indian half European
Plains Indians
most widespread Indian presencein the West. Dierse group of trives and language groups. Some formed alliances with one another, others were in a constant conflict. SOme lived as sedentary farmers, some as nomadic hunters. THere were some similarities: based on close extended family networks and on an intimate relationship with nature. Tries were generally subdivided into “bands” fo 500 men and women, each band had its own governing council.
Buffalo was the basis of their economy
Weaknesses were the inability of the tribe to unite against white aggression. Also distracted by inner conflicts whilst in battle against whites. Still able to unite effectively for a time.
Taos Indian Rebellion
When the US acquired New Mexico in the Mexican American war, General Stephen Kearny tried to establish a territorial government that excluded the established Mexican ruling class. He drew most of the officials from the Anglo Americans of the region, ignoring HIspanics. Widespread fear amoung Hispanics and Indians that new American rulers would confiscate their land and threaten their society. In 1847, Taos Indians rebelled; they killed the new governor and other officals before being subdued by US Army. NM remained under military rule for 3 years, until US organizes a territorial government in 1850.
California mission society
In California, Spanish settlement began in the 18th century with string of missions along the west coast. Indians were gathered (either forcefully or persuaded)and targeted by evangelical Christians. Also used as a labor force for the economies the missionaries created. In the 1830s mission society largely collapsed since new Mexican government reduced Church power. In its place emerged a secular Mexican aristocracy.
“chinatowns”
Increasingly, after the Transcontinental railroad was built, Chinese immigrants flocked to cities. By 1900, nearly half of the Chinese population lived in urban areas (San Fran was a big one). “Chinatowns” throughout the West revolved around powerful organizations–usually formed by people from a single clan/community in China. That functioned as something like benevolent societies and filled so many of the roles that political machines often served in immigrant communities. IN Eastern
