Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Apache Indians--History; Apache Indians; Apache Indians--Government relations; History;

Abstract

The relationship of the United States Government and the Apache Indians of Arizona and New Mexico was marred by thirty years of war. The thesis, of which this is an abstract, is an investigation into the appropriateness of selected aspects of United States policy toward the Apache in the years 1847-1887. The essential questions in this analysis and re-evaluation of policy are not why and how? did the United States prevail, but rather: Did the authorities understand the nature of the Apache? Did the policies in the area fit that nature? And if not, could the cost have been less in time, blood, and treasure if they had? For reasons of time and space, this paper was confined to aspects of United States policy toward Apache as suggested and practiced by James S. Calhoun, John Cremony, George Crook, and John P. Clum. James S. Calhoun was the first Indian agent and Superintendent of Indian Affairs in New Mexico. John Cremony's significance lies in his very early contact with Apache as a military officer with the Bartlett Commission and his subsequent command of the Bosque Redondo garrison. George Crook has been acknowledged the most successful military officer to campaign against Apache. John P. Clum won praise for his great success as agent at San Carlos during the difficult 1870s. Each of these officials suggested a policy for dealing with both hostile and peaceful Apache, and each of these policies was implemented to some degree. These policies as set forth in their contemporary writings and memoirs were analyzed for validity, historical accuracy, and their understanding of Apache culture with which their policies were to deal. Two major works in the field of cultural anthropology were used to provide an Apache frame of reference for United States policies. Both studies were completed during the 19JOs and were of tribal members living during the period 1847-1887. They are An Apache Life Way by Morris E. Opler, a study of the Chiricahua Apache, and Social Organization of the Western Apache by Grenville Good.win, which covers the bands of Northern Arizona. Additional materials were used from the memoirs of American officials and Apache active during the critical period. This study concludes that the United States Government entered the Southwest with no clear understanding of the situation there or the nature of the Apache. During the period 1847-1887, the government developed no consistent policy for dealing with Apache, Each of the officers studied developed his own policy marred by faulty understanding of Apache culture, Inconsistency, expediency, and divided civilian and military authority in the area did much to prolong the conflict. However, the cultures, goals, and values of the Apache and the nineteenth century American were so different that unless the United States Government had confirmed Apache land titles and restrained settlers from the region, conflict was inevitable. Once begun, it was necessarily costly in time, money, and blood.

Year of Submission

1975

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of History

First Advisor

Daryl Pendergraft

Second Advisor

Donald R. Whitnah

Third Advisor

Lowell Goodman

Comments

If you are the rightful copyright holder of this thesis and wish to have it removed from the Open Access Collection, please submit a request to scholarworks@uni.edu and include clear identification of the work, preferably with URL.

Object Description

1 PDF file (131 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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