From Resistance to Reservations by USHistory.org | CommonLit

by USHistory.org 2016

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Excerpt from Trail of Tears Diary

Jobe Alexander & Mary Hill

The Trail of Tears is the name given to the forced relocation of Native American nations following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The removal included many members of tribes who did not wish to assimilate. Many Native Americans suffered from disease and exposure, and somewhere between 2,000-6,000 Cherokee died on the trail. The Trail of Tears Diary includes interviews that reveals the extraordinary resilience of the Native American nations during the trail.

Pair “From Resistance to Reservations” with “Excerpt from Trail of Tears Diary” and ask students to discuss how the policy of Indian Removal in the East was translated to military actions in the West, as well as the human and moral impact of these policies.

8th Grade Primary Source Document 1000L

The 1897 Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii

National Archives

In "The 1897 Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii," the events that led up to the United States' annexation of the Hawaiian Islands is discussed, as well as native Hawaiians' attempts to maintain their independence.

Pair “From Resistance to Reservations” with “The 1897 Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii” and ask students to compare and contrast the ways that Native Americans were treated with the ways that native Hawaiians were treated. What could have accounted for these differences?

11th Grade Informational Text 1360L

The Wounded Knee Massacre

Digital History

In "The Wounded Knee Massacre," a variety of personal accounts shed light on the violent conflict between the Sioux and American soldiers on December 29, 1890.

Pair “From Resistance to Reservation” with “The Massacre of Wounded Knee” and ask students to discuss why they believe the American Indian Wars ended with the Massacre of Wounded Knee, and how actions throughout the late 1800s motivated the massacre.

11th Grade Primary Source Document 1000L

Red Cloud's Speech after Wounded Knee

Chief Red Cloud

In "Red Cloud's Speech after Wounded Knee," Oglala Lakota leader Red Cloud speaks about the mistreatment of Native Americans by the federal U.S. government, the false promises made to them, and the terrible conditions of reservation life.

Pair “From Resistance to Reservations” with “Red Cloud’s Speech after Wounded Knee” and ask students to discuss how Red Cloud’s description of reservation life might explain the cause of resistance among Native Americans throughout the late 1800s.

10th Grade Speech 950L

How Native Students Can Succeed In College: 'Be As Tough As The Land That Made You'

Claudio Sanchez

In "How Native Students Can Succeed in College: 'Be As Tough As The Land That Made You'," Claudio Sanchez discusses the obstacles Native American students face regarding college and how one particular program has helped.

Pair “From Resistance to Reservations” with “How Native Students Can Succeed in College: ‘Be As Tough As The Land That Made You’” to provide students with additional information regarding the effects of Native Americans being relocated to reservations. How has life on reservations negatively impacted Native American teenagers’ ability to succeed in college?

8th Grade Informational Text 940L

American Indian School a Far Cry from the Past

Charla Bear

In "American Indian School a Far Cry from the Past," Charla Bear discusses how Native American boarding schools today, specifically Sherman Indian High School, differ from boarding schools of the past.

Pair “From Resistance to Reservations” with “American Indian School a Far Cry from the Past” to provide students with additional information regarding the history of reservations. How have Native American reservations changed over the years? What issues continue to be common on reservations?

9th Grade Informational Text 1050L

Manifest Destiny

Mike Kubic

In "Manifest Destiny," Mike Kubic discusses how in the 19th and early 20th centuries American settlers believed it was their destiny to conquer new regions of the continent—whatever the cost.

Pair “From Resistance to Reservations” with “Manifest Destiny” and ask students to discuss what motivated the American government and military to formulate the policies they did. How did those actions affect Native Americans?

12th Grade Informational Text 1360L