Valdosta, Georgia

On April 17, 2015, a protest group, which included Eric Sheppard, walked on the American Flag in the front of Odum Library at Valdosta State University. This was in an effort to protest racism in our country. Shortly after, a local veteran, Michelle Manhart, was detained for taking the flag from the protest group in what was her attempt to be able to dispose of the ripped flag properly. She was not charged but was banned from VSU in the future (ValdostaDailyTimes). I could not believe what I was hearing or seeing on the news so close to home. A Valdosta State student was purposefully walking on the flag. I understand that they tried to show their frustration and protest against something they believe in, but handling it a different way outcomes…

unincorporated Tattnall County outside of Reidsville, GA is the home of Georgia’s Department of Corrections (GDC), formerly the Georgia Industrial Institute, purchased by the state in 1937 for approximately 1.3 million dollars. The facility had renovation done in 2007. The prison originally housed juvenile delinquents. It’s now a medium security state prison. This prison is the oldest still running correctional institution in the state of Georgia. Just like Georgia’s state prison, South…

The battle at Horseshoe Bend although obscure to most Americans had a great affect the expansion of of America. The Louisiana Purchase of 1808 already showed the greed and appetite for land from white Americans and their need for individual property. However, with all the land the United States received from the purchase they could not move on the land because it was not really theirs as long as the five tribes were on the land. It was not until the battle at Horseshoe Bend that coveted land…

Both would point out very specific aspects that Sherman would organize to ensure it would in fact be the “death blow”. Davis mentions a telegraph sent from Sherman to U S Grant. “Until we can repopulate Georgia, it is useless to occupy it, but the utter destruction if its roads, houses and people will cripple their military resources… I can make the march and make Georgia howl!” Rivers would agree with Davis with different emphasis but still with great importance. The last chance the…

Cherokees were willing to Americanize in exchange for autonomy. (Constitution of the Cherokee Nation pg. 60-70) The Cherokee constitution claimed sections of Georgia as part of their nation and also showed no sign of a willing society to remove west which upset Georgia’s officials. Soon, the state of Georgia assembled and created resolutions which denounced Cherokee law, and extended the state’s jurisdiction to all inhabitants of the state. Section seven of Laws Extending Jurisdiction over the…

during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Jackson became a leading advocate for the removal of Native Americans from their lands. In his first and second annual address to Congress, Andrew Jackson presented his controversial stance on forcing the Native Americans out of United States territory. His argument gained some support, but was met with criticism from those siding against his policy. Both sides offered their legal and moral arguments on the subject of Indian removal, but those against the…

Such terms were used to describe any of the various Indians immediately south or east of the Creek Nation (colonial Georgia and Florida) and included: “Seminolies” (or East Florida Creeks or “Alachuan” Seminoles), and members identified “Seminolian” or “Seminolean.” There would be attempts to identify some as “Mikasuki” (or Georgia) Seminoles to differentiate from Seminoles residing in Florida. The Hitchiti Indians who originated from the east side of Chattahoochee River region, spoke a Muscogee…

The interwoven nature of Native American relationships with the White men created a perplexing dynamic, with an unyielding spirit both within the invaded and the invaders, throughout the entirety of the two’s interaction. Like most history, this story could be told through multiple lens, whether it be trade relationships or military motives, however Stuart Banner chooses to drive this narrative with attention to the means of which Indians and white Americans exchange land. In his rendering of…

Battle over land ownership and the movement of the Native American’s off of their land is part of the American story. As whites moved across America, the Indians were moved to less desirable land. In the two essays that I wrote for this class, Kaw People and Absentee Landowners the interesting connection between both essays is that not only were the Indians moved off the land but settlers and their descendants who wanted the land were priced out of the land in Chase County. Both essays are…

While analyzing historical texts, one should always proceed with caution, and read tentatively; specifically, due to misinterpretations, false translations, and basic human error, verbal speeches delivered in previous centuries tend to succumb to inaccuracies, which leads to false transcripts of the actual work. Despite this, one can still appreciate the words of Chief Seattle, the Native American chieftain of the Suquamish tribe, in his speech Address, which was presented to the European…