Displacement and Violence: The Dark Reality Behind the Westward Expansion and the Fourth of July

This article explores the often-overlooked history behind the United States’ westward expansion and the Fourth of July celebrations. It reveals the forced displacement, broken treaties, and violent acts committed against Native American tribes during America’s growth, highlighting events like the Trail of Tears and Wounded Knee. While the Fourth of July symbolizes freedom and independence for many, it also represents a painful legacy of loss and injustice for indigenous peoples. This is part two of the series from yesterday’s post relating to the Fourth of July, calling for honest reflection, acknowledgment of past wrongs, and continued efforts toward justice and reconciliation, urging a more inclusive understanding of America’s history.

GRIM REALITYABYASSSINS OF THE FLESH

7/4/20255 min read

time lapse photography of sparkler and U.S.A flag let
time lapse photography of sparkler and U.S.A flag let

The Other Side of Freedom: How Displacement and Violence Shaped America’s Independence

Every year, the Fourth of July lights up the skies of the United States with fireworks, parades, and patriotic celebrations. It is a day when millions honor the birth of a nation founded on ideals of liberty, justice, and freedom. Yet, beneath the shimmering displays and joyful festivities lies a profound and often overlooked truth—a history marked by pain, displacement, and violence, particularly against Native American peoples.

The story of the United States’ westward expansion is frequently told as a heroic march of progress and discovery, where settlers carved a new future out of the wilderness. But this narrative masks the brutal reality of forced removals, broken treaties, and systemic oppression experienced by the indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands were stolen in the process.

The Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears: A History of Forced Displacement

In the early 19th century, as the United States grew, so too did the appetite for land. Native American tribes, who had lived on these lands for thousands of years, were viewed by many settlers and government officials as obstacles to progress. The policy of “Indian Removal,” most infamously codified in the Indian Removal Act of 1830, gave legal cover for the forced eviction of entire tribes from their homelands.

President Andrew Jackson, a staunch proponent of removal, justified this policy by claiming it was in the best interest of Native peoples to move them westward, away from encroaching settlers. Yet, the reality was far from benevolent. The Cherokee Nation, for example, was forcibly marched from their lands in Georgia and surrounding states to designated “Indian Territory” in present-day Oklahoma. The journey, now known as the Trail of Tears, led to the deaths of approximately 4,000 Cherokee—one-quarter of their population—due to disease, starvation, and exposure.

This pattern repeated itself with multiple tribes across the continent. The Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, and Chickasaw, among others, faced similar fates. These removals were not peaceful or voluntary; they were marked by coercion, violence, and immense suffering. Military forces often enforced the removals, and tribes who resisted were met with brutal retaliation.

Broken Treaties and Continued Violence

Even when treaties were signed to ostensibly protect Native lands, these agreements were frequently ignored or violated by the U.S. government. Every new wave of expansion demanded more land, forcing tribes into increasingly smaller, less viable territories. The pattern was clear: promises were made to pacify Native communities, only to be broken when convenient.

This era also witnessed some of the most horrific violent clashes in American history. The Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 saw a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village brutally attacked by Colorado militia, killing more than 150 Native Americans, mostly women, children, and elders. Later, in 1890, the Wounded Knee Massacre became a chilling symbol of the violent suppression of Native resistance, as U.S. troops killed over 200 Lakota Sioux, including many unarmed women and children.

These massacres were not isolated incidents but part of a broader campaign to subjugate and displace Native peoples through force and fear.

The Fourth of July: A Celebration Marred by Contradictions

The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776—a historic moment when thirteen American colonies declared their freedom from British rule. It is heralded as a day embodying liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness.

Yet, for Native Americans, this celebration holds a starkly different meaning. The very ideals of freedom that the day honors were denied to indigenous peoples. While European settlers celebrated their emancipation from monarchy, Native tribes were enduring dispossession and violent displacement.

As Native scholar Vine Deloria Jr. famously articulated, the Fourth of July symbolizes “national hypocrisy” for Native Americans. The celebration of independence glosses over a history where the United States was founded on the denial of indigenous sovereignty and rights. For many Native peoples, the day is a somber reminder of the loss of their homelands, cultures, and lives.

Despite this, the dominant American narrative has often erased or minimized Native perspectives. The stories of Native resistance, resilience, and survival are marginalized, while the tales of settlers and pioneers dominate history books and celebrations.

Cultural Erasure and Assimilation

The injustices did not cease with land theft and violence. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the U.S. government pursued policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans into Euro-American culture. Boarding schools, often far from home, were established to "civilize" Native children. These institutions forcibly removed children from their families, forbade the use of their native languages, and punished them for practicing traditional customs.

This cultural genocide left lasting scars on Native communities. The loss of language, traditions, and familial bonds contributed to social and psychological wounds that endure to this day.

Even today, Native Americans experience disproportionate levels of poverty, health disparities, and social challenges—consequences deeply rooted in centuries of displacement and systemic neglect.

Toward Recognition, Justice, and Reconciliation

In recent decades, awareness of this painful history has grown. Indigenous activists, scholars, and allies have worked tirelessly to bring these truths to light, challenging the sanitized versions of American history that dominate public consciousness.

Some progress has been made. Various governments and institutions have issued formal apologies for past injustices. Efforts to restore tribal lands and recognize Native sovereignty are ongoing. Educational reforms increasingly incorporate Native voices and perspectives, helping foster broader understanding and respect.

Yet, the journey toward true justice and reconciliation remains incomplete. The legacy of displacement and violence still demands active redress. This means not only acknowledging past wrongs but also ensuring Native communities have access to resources, legal protections, and cultural revitalization.

What the Fourth of July Means Today

For many Americans, the Fourth of July is a day of patriotic pride and communal joy. Fireworks light the night, families come together for barbecues, and patriotic songs fill the air. It is a celebration of the nation’s founding principles.

But true patriotism requires honest reflection. We must not forget the painful histories concealed beneath the celebration. The Fourth of July should be an opportunity to recognize that America’s freedom came at a steep cost to its indigenous peoples.

Steps have been taken toward acknowledging and addressing this past. Formal apologies, land reparations, and greater inclusion of Native perspectives in education signal progress. However, justice is still very much a work in progress—one that requires ongoing commitment.

As we celebrate independence, let us also commit to honoring those whose freedom was denied. The Fourth of July can evolve from a simple celebration into a day of inclusive remembrance and renewed dedication to justice, equity, and healing for all Americans.

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Keywords

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