Evaluate the impact of the American Indian Movement.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2022
Topic
The USA, 1944–92
👑Complete Model Essay
Evaluate the impact of the American Indian Movement.
The Impact of the American Indian Movement
The American Indian Movement (AIM), formed in 1968, emerged as a powerful force advocating for Native American rights and drawing attention to their plight. Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, AIM employed similar tactics while addressing issues specific to Native Americans, such as treaty rights and land claims. This essay will evaluate AIM’s impact, considering both its successes in raising awareness and its limitations in achieving comprehensive change.
Early Activism and Significance
From its inception in Minneapolis, Minnesota, AIM tackled pressing concerns within urban Native American communities. Founded by activists like George Mitchell, Dennis Banks, and Clyde Bellecourt, the movement challenged issues like poverty, discrimination, and police brutality – mirroring concerns of other civil rights groups. However, AIM distinguished itself by emphasizing broken treaties and the seizure of tribal lands by the US government. This focus on historical injustices and self-determination resonated powerfully with Native Americans across the nation.
The establishment of the K-12 Heart of the Earth Survival School in 1971 proved significant in promoting cultural awareness and empowering Native American youth. The school's curriculum, rooted in indigenous knowledge and values, served as a powerful counterpoint to the assimilationist policies prevalent in mainstream education. Furthermore, the 1972 "Trail of Broken Treaties" march on Washington, D.C., culminating in the occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, thrust AIM into the national spotlight. This act of defiance, while met with hostility from authorities, effectively highlighted the government's failure to honor treaty obligations and address Native American grievances.
The Wounded Knee Occupation and Its Aftermath
The 1973 Wounded Knee occupation marked a turning point for AIM. Led by Russell Means, the 71-day siege against federal agents garnered international attention. The event, a symbolic reclaiming of land marred by the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, exposed the government's continued suppression of Native American rights. While the standoff resulted in fatalities and numerous arrests, it generated immense sympathy for AIM's cause. The subsequent trials, which often resulted in acquittals or dropped charges, further exposed government misconduct and fueled public support for Native American rights.
Despite its successes in raising awareness, AIM faced challenges in the years following Wounded Knee. Government surveillance and harassment, coupled with internal divisions, hampered the movement's effectiveness. While AIM continued to advocate for Native American rights, it struggled to regain the momentum of the early 1970s. Nonetheless, the movement's legacy endured.
Conclusion
The American Indian Movement played a pivotal role in advancing Native American rights during the late 20th century. By drawing inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement while emphasizing issues specific to Native Americans, AIM successfully mobilized communities and brought national attention to their plight. Though it faced limitations in achieving comprehensive policy changes, AIM's activism led to a greater awareness of historical injustices, challenged government policies, and inspired a generation of Native American activists. The movement’s legacy continues to resonate, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights and self-determination in the United States.
Bibliography
⭐Smith, C. L., & Warrior, P. (1996). _Like a hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee_. New York: New Press.
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the American Indian Movement (AIM), its origins, and its connection to the Civil Rights Movement. State your argument: While AIM may not have achieved widespread legislative change by the late 1970s, its impact lies in raising awareness about Native American issues and challenging the US government's treatment of Indigenous people.
Similarities to the Civil Rights Movement
Highlight the shared goals of AIM and the Civil Rights Movement, focusing on issues like poverty, discrimination, and police brutality. Explain how AIM adopted similar protest strategies (marches, occupations) to bring attention to these injustices.
Uniquely Native American Concerns
Discuss the specific grievances of AIM that went beyond the Civil Rights Movement, such as broken treaties, land rights, and cultural preservation. Mention the 20 Points and their significance in articulating AIM's demands. Analyze the establishment of the Heart of the Earth Survival School as a testament to cultural revitalization efforts.
Wounded Knee and its Aftermath
Describe the events at Wounded Knee, highlighting its impact on public perception of AIM and the government's response. Analyze the significance of the siege: while AIM ultimately faced legal challenges and internal divisions, Wounded Knee brought unprecedented attention to Native American struggles.
Legacy and Long-Term Impact
Acknowledge that AIM's legislative victories were limited by the 1970s. However, emphasize the movement's lasting impact: increased awareness, a surge in Native American activism, and a challenge to the US government's historical narrative. Conclude by reiterating AIM's significance as a turning point in the fight for Native American rights.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Evaluate the impact of the American Indian Movement.
Candidates might offer some insight into the aims of AIM in order to reach a judgement about impact. Any reference to the 20 Points might be helpful.
The American Indian Movement could be seen as significant in bringing some of the aims and strategies of the Civil Rights Movement to bear on the discontents of Native Americans. It originated in Minnesota in 1968 led by community activists George Mitchell, Dennis Banks, and Clyde Bellecourt to aim to draw attention to discrimination and the poor quality of life among Native American communities. The response to high unemployment, slum housing, racism was common to other civil rights movement. But there was also protest about broken treaty rights and lost tribal land which gave another dimension.
The attempt to develop knowledge and consciousness of the Native Americans by the K-12 Heart of the Earth Survival School in 1971 could be seen as significant in developing the movement. There was also the Broken Treaties March on Washington in 1972 ending in an occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Another element of significance was the hostility of the authorities fearing a parallel with the radicalism of Black Power.
In 1973 the Movement under Russell Means took over the community of Wounded Knee which led to a 71-day siege by FBI agents, 2 deaths, and 1200 arrests. Significant in arousing sympathy – the trials led to acquittals, the occupation marked the high point and the movement, harassed by the authorities, and internally divided declined in the 1980s. There might be a comment about the extent to which AIM managed to draw attention to the plight of Native Americans without achieving great changes by the end of the 1970s.