What defines an American hero and luminary? To determine this, one must throw out all preconceptions in order to objectively look at each character and compare their actions with the pillars of American idealism and society. Tecumseh was part of early American history due to his role as a warrior and his part in attempting to unite a native resistance. He believed that the Native Americans should not cede any of their land to the white man. Justifying his message with action, he fought in several battles in the struggle of independence and peace for his people. The ideas that are viewed today as synonymous with the title American like equality, freedom, and democracy were ironically used by him in his fight against the Americans. Tecumseh
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Tecumseh wanted to unite his followers to fight off the men who were invading and taking over his people’s land. He recognized that “the white people are too strong for [us] alone… [and] If we all unite, we will cause the rivers to stain the great waters with their blood” (Tecumseh 233). Democracy is more than just a form of government, but it is in essence everyone doing their part to make the nation stronger and more prevalent. Unifying the tribes to rise up against the people oppressing them was his way of trying to get everyone involved and make the Native Americans more powerful as a whole. Utilizing the American idea of democracy, Tecumseh tried his best to build up his people and lead them into the fight for …show more content…
Tecumseh wants peace and freedom, but “where the white people are, there is no peace for them” (Tecumseh 233). His fight for peace is also one for equality with the white man so that his people will not be viewed as savages, but as an independent nation who has a right to own and live on the land of their ancestors. Using violence against those hurting innocent people and children is acceptable for a hero, but it must be humane. When he was young, Tecumseh witnessed cruelty from both whites and natives. He once observed a white man being burned at the stake and was so horrified that he severely rebuked his fellow Indians. He realized that the natives could not sink to the level of the invaders or risk becoming as barbaric and uncivilized as the enemies that they were trying to ward off. His brave struggle for freedom and equality can been seen multiple times throughout America’s history, and leading a resistance in the names of these rights is a quality that many American leaders have
Tecumseh wanted to unite his followers to fight off the men who were invading and taking over his people’s land. He recognized that “the white people are too strong for [us] alone… [and] If we all unite, we will cause the rivers to stain the great waters with their blood” (Tecumseh 233). Democracy is more than just a form of government, but it is in essence everyone doing their part to make the nation stronger and more prevalent. Unifying the tribes to rise up against the people oppressing them was his way of trying to get everyone involved and make the Native Americans more powerful as a whole. Utilizing the American idea of democracy, Tecumseh tried his best to build up his people and lead them into the fight for …show more content…
Tecumseh wants peace and freedom, but “where the white people are, there is no peace for them” (Tecumseh 233). His fight for peace is also one for equality with the white man so that his people will not be viewed as savages, but as an independent nation who has a right to own and live on the land of their ancestors. Using violence against those hurting innocent people and children is acceptable for a hero, but it must be humane. When he was young, Tecumseh witnessed cruelty from both whites and natives. He once observed a white man being burned at the stake and was so horrified that he severely rebuked his fellow Indians. He realized that the natives could not sink to the level of the invaders or risk becoming as barbaric and uncivilized as the enemies that they were trying to ward off. His brave struggle for freedom and equality can been seen multiple times throughout America’s history, and leading a resistance in the names of these rights is a quality that many American leaders have