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“The Long Walk” to Bosque Redondo was one of the most important events in our history , unfortunately it wasn’t one we could be proud of. The Long Walk was a punishment to the Navajo tribes and also other tribes ( Mescalero Apache ) that had to leave , not only from their home , but from their crops and their surroundings. This was all because of the “white man” and his enforcements. Power was very important when this happened which is through 1863 to 1864.
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In this report I had to answer an essential question.” How did Manifest Destiny impact the Navajo?” Manifest destiny refers to the time when expansion of the United States occurred. In the mid 1800’s the doctrine was that there was only supposed to be one god-given culture that will take the United States and spread through it. This was against the Navajo and also Mescalero Apache tribes because of their many cultures , religions , and costumes. |
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The government forced them to move their homes to Bosque Redondo. The Navajo called this so called “good , nice place” Hweeldi “the place of suffering” While this long walk to Bosque Redondo occurred many important events had happened to the Navajo.
In 1855 treaties were made with the territorial government with tribes. These treaties were not official but they wanted peace between the tribes and the U.S.. In 1858 the Navajos became very angry and very frustrated because of all the build up of the military forces at Fort Defiance(their territory). Soon enough a large amount of Navajo people harassed many of the patrols of their territory. This event was called the Raid of 1860) This caused the military forces , lead by Major Canby , to raid the Navajo back. Now it increases.
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When this serious event ended , General James L. Collins in 1860 wanted these raids to end now. His idea was to make a reservation to control these tribes from raiding again. Raiding form the Navajo kept increasing within the year. Soon in 1862 General Collins replaced Canby and worked with Carleton ( leader of army in New Mexico ) to get territory away from any other place. Carleton made a promise to soon get a territory back for them. Carleton then told the Apache leaders that they would have to go to Fort Sumner ( where he was already establishing in Bosque Redondo ) and that they could soon return with the new treaty. That was a lie.
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Carleton reversed his promise to them about returning to their homeland saying that gold and silver seekers would have many conflicts with the tribes. 400 Mescaleros moved to Fort Sumner with little supply from Carleton. Carleton then realized he had to talk to the the Navajo tribe to also move to the “reservation”. The Navajos rejected it , But they had their reasons : it was very far from their home and it would take a lot of time to get their also there were nearby enemies. ( other tribes )
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Under Gen. Carleton orders , in 1863 , Kit Carson began the next phase of war and New Fort Canby to go against the Navajo. In July he began a campaign of harrassment. Carson’s campaign ordered his men to kill everything of the Navajos. This included : crops and their livestock in their homeland Cañon de Chelly. The Navajos were weakened.
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Because of the killings that happened in Navajo homeland , in 1864 nearly 3000 Navajos surrendered. They were sent to Fort Canby and Wingate. In just in one week 126 of them died of diseases. The other 2000 began the forced march to Bosque Redondo through harsh weather. In April 2400 more Navajo men , women , and children started the walk. 600 Navajos and 400 Apaches were camped at Bosque Redondo. Carleton quickly realized that they needed supplies so he got very little supplies from Colorado to tide them over for the winter and their walk. With 10000 Navajo indians at Bosque Redondo , only 4000 acres of arable land was there to use. This little land would not be enough to support the population.
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A former supporter of Carleton’s plan , Dr. Michael Steck , was now an opponent to Carleton. Steck didn't like Carleton’s plan to move the tribes. He thought the Navajos should have a reservation in their homeland. Carleton’s plan was working though , until 3000 acres of crops were destroyed from severe storms in Bosque Redondo. Again , the tribes were down in food. Two tribes’ friction grew and led the Apaches to leave (335 of them) in 1865 to their homeland in southern New Mexico.
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Things were so bad at this time in 1865 that crops were eliminated numerous of times. Help from the government lowered the cost of feeding the Navajos from $62,000 a month but soon led to more crop failure and the Navajos to leave Bosque Redondo. 900+ Navajos were gone. Carleton sent out a threat to the Navajo that he will kill any Indian without a passport. In 1866 , more crop failure occurred and even more money had to come from the government to help the Navajos survive. More troubles came in 1867 when crops were destroyed , once again , and lack of fuel wood in the enviroment around Bosque Redondo.
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The Navajos were in much trouble if they didn't have the resources , so , the Navajos had to travel 20 miles to get what they needed but were in danger of their enemy. (Who claimed Bosque Redondo was their territory.) By 1866 Public Opinion of New Mexico removed Carleton(with help from president Johnson). May 1868 FINALLY a treaty was signed for the Navajo to be able return to their homeland. The government gave the Navajo funds & realized they were treated horribly. June 1868 , Navajos left the terrible Bosque Redondo forever and returned to their homeland. (Which is now New Mexico and Arizona.)
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Now lastly , the essential question. How did Manifest Destiny impact the Navajo? The Navajo were affected in many ways. They lost land , their buffalo supply were soon decreased by over hunting , they were forced west on the horrible trail to Bosque Redondo , diseases were spread by the 'White Men," and many were beaten to death for no reason at all by soldiers that were sent to "protect" them. In conclusion “The Long Walk” was a dispute of othering the Navajo Tribes and also the Apache Mescalero Tribes which caused their culture , heritage , and their religion to be swept right from under them.
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The End
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