key term - American Missionary Activity

Definition

American missionary activity refers to the organized efforts by religious groups, particularly in the 19th century, to spread Christianity and promote Western values among Indigenous peoples and other non-Christian communities. This movement was often linked to the broader context of westward expansion and the belief in Manifest Destiny, which encouraged the notion that Americans had a divine duty to civilize and educate those they viewed as 'uncivilized.'

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. American missionaries established several missions in the Oregon Territory, aiming to convert Native Americans to Christianity and promote agricultural practices.
2. Missionaries played a key role in education, founding schools to teach Indigenous children English and Western ways, often undermining Native languages and traditions.
3. The Whitman Mission, founded by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman in 1836, became one of the most famous missionary efforts in the Oregon Territory but ended tragically when tensions with local tribes escalated.
4. Missionary activity contributed to the perception of Native Americans as 'savages' who needed to be 'civilized,' which justified policies of removal and assimilation during this period.
5. While some Native Americans adopted Christianity willingly, others resisted missionary efforts, leading to conflicts that would shape relations between settlers and Indigenous peoples.

Review Questions

• How did American missionary activity influence relationships between settlers and Indigenous populations in the Oregon Territory?
  • American missionary activity significantly influenced relationships between settlers and Indigenous populations by promoting conversion to Christianity and Western values. Missionaries often viewed themselves as bringing civilization to Native Americans, which created a paternalistic attitude. While some Indigenous peoples embraced Christianity, many resisted these efforts, leading to misunderstandings and tensions that affected interactions between the two groups.
• Evaluate the impact of missionary schools on Indigenous cultures in the Oregon Territory during this period.
  • Missionary schools had a profound impact on Indigenous cultures in the Oregon Territory by promoting Western education while undermining Native languages and customs. These institutions aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-American society, resulting in a loss of cultural identity for many. Although some children benefited from education and new opportunities, the overall effect was detrimental to the preservation of Indigenous traditions and languages.
• Analyze how American missionary activity intertwined with broader themes of westward expansion and cultural superiority in the 19th century.
  • American missionary activity was deeply intertwined with westward expansion and notions of cultural superiority during the 19th century. Missionaries believed that spreading Christianity was part of their divine mandate, aligned with Manifest Destiny, which justified territorial expansion. This belief often led to the marginalization and forced assimilation of Indigenous peoples, as missionaries sought to reshape their cultures according to Western ideals. The dual goals of spiritual conversion and cultural assimilation illustrate how these missionary efforts reflected broader societal attitudes towards race, culture, and imperialism in this era.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny:

The 19th-century doctrine that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America, often justified by a belief in cultural superiority.

Oregon Trail:

A historic route used by thousands of American settlers traveling westward to the Oregon Territory, which became a significant area for missionary work.

Cultural Assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the practices and beliefs of another culture, often at the expense of their original cultural identity.