key term - Navajo Long Walk

Definition

The Navajo Long Walk refers to the forced relocation of the Navajo people by the United States government in the mid-1860s, which resulted in the march of thousands of Navajos from their homelands in Arizona to a designated reservation in New Mexico. This event was part of a larger campaign of military actions and policies aimed at subduing Native American populations after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which had established U.S. control over New Mexico and neighboring territories. The Long Walk not only caused immense suffering and loss for the Navajo but also reshaped their community and identity in profound ways.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Long Walk began in 1864 and involved approximately 8,000 Navajos who were forced to march over 300 miles under harsh conditions.
2. Many Navajos died during the journey due to starvation, disease, and exposure to extreme weather conditions.
3. Upon arriving at Bosque Redondo, the Navajo faced inadequate supplies, poor living conditions, and a lack of resources necessary for survival.
4. The Long Walk has significant cultural importance for the Navajo people, symbolizing resilience and the struggle for sovereignty and recognition.
5. In 1868, after years of hardship, a treaty was signed allowing the Navajo to return to a portion of their homeland, marking a crucial moment in their fight for self-determination.

Review Questions

• How did the events following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo contribute to the circumstances leading up to the Navajo Long Walk?
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo significantly changed the political landscape by transferring control of New Mexico from Mexico to the United States. This shift prompted U.S. authorities to impose new laws and policies aimed at consolidating power over Native American tribes, including the Navajo. As a result, military campaigns were launched against the Navajo to enforce compliance with U.S. governance, leading directly to the forced relocation known as the Long Walk.
• Discuss the conditions experienced by the Navajo during their march to Bosque Redondo and how these conditions reflected broader themes of U.S. policy towards Native Americans.
  • During their march to Bosque Redondo, the Navajo faced dire conditions characterized by starvation, disease, and brutal weather. The long trek was marked by suffering and loss, exemplifying the harsh realities of U.S. policies that prioritized expansion and control over indigenous rights and wellbeing. This treatment illustrates a pattern of systemic neglect and violence against Native Americans as they were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in pursuit of American territorial ambitions.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Navajo Long Walk on their culture and identity, considering both historical trauma and resilience.
  • The Navajo Long Walk has left a lasting legacy on Navajo culture and identity, embodying themes of historical trauma alongside resilience. The experiences endured during this forced relocation serve as a stark reminder of colonial oppression but also highlight the strength of community ties and cultural preservation. In contemporary times, these events are commemorated within Navajo narratives as symbols of survival and resistance, fostering a renewed sense of identity that emphasizes sovereignty and self-determination among future generations.

Related terms

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The treaty signed in 1848 that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in the U.S. acquiring territories including present-day New Mexico, Arizona, California, and others.

Bosque Redondo: The site in New Mexico where the Navajo were forced to relocate during the Long Walk, intended as a reservation but marked by hardship and scarcity.

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to designated areas west of the Mississippi River.