Richard Henry Pratt

Definition

Richard Henry Pratt was a military officer and educator known for founding the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in 1879, which became a key institution in the forced assimilation of Native Americans into Euro-American culture. His philosophy of assimilation emphasized the idea that Native Americans could be 'civilized' by adopting Western ways, leading to policies that aimed to erase Indigenous identities and cultures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Richard Henry Pratt famously stated 'Kill the Indian, save the man,' encapsulating his belief that Native American cultures needed to be eradicated to create productive citizens.
2. Pratt's approach to education focused on vocational training, aiming to prepare Native American students for work in white society rather than fostering their traditional skills.
3. The Carlisle School served as a model for numerous other boarding schools across the United States, reflecting broader federal policies toward Native American assimilation.
4. Pratt believed that education could serve as a tool for assimilation, but his methods were often harsh, involving discipline and strict adherence to Euro-American cultural standards.
5. Many students at Carlisle experienced trauma and loss of identity as they were separated from their families and communities, leading to long-lasting impacts on Native American cultures.

Review Questions

• How did Richard Henry Pratt's philosophies influence the development of boarding schools for Native Americans?
  • Richard Henry Pratt's beliefs about assimilation were central to the establishment and operation of boarding schools like Carlisle. He promoted the idea that Native American children should be removed from their homes and communities to be educated in Euro-American ways. His emphasis on vocational training aimed to transform Indigenous youth into productive members of society according to Western standards, significantly shaping how these institutions operated and what they aimed to achieve.
• Discuss the impact of Pratt's statement 'Kill the Indian, save the man' on forced assimilation policies in the late 19th century.
  • Pratt's statement highlighted the brutal reality of forced assimilation policies during this period. It reflected a mindset that viewed Native American cultures as inferior and in need of eradication for individuals to succeed in a Euro-American context. This ideology justified the removal of Native children from their families and communities, leading to widespread cultural dislocation and loss, as educational institutions attempted to replace Indigenous identities with Euro-American values.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of Richard Henry Pratt's educational methods on Native American communities and identities.
  • The educational methods promoted by Richard Henry Pratt had profound long-term consequences for Native American communities. While they were intended to integrate Indigenous peoples into American society, they often resulted in cultural disintegration and loss of language, traditions, and familial ties. The legacy of these boarding schools continues to affect Native American identities today, as many grapple with the impacts of historical trauma and seek ways to reclaim their cultures in a modern context.

Related terms

Carlisle Indian Industrial School:

The first off-reservation boarding school for Native Americans, established by Richard Henry Pratt to educate Indigenous children and promote assimilation into American society.

Assimilation: The process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often resulting in the loss of one's original culture and identity.

Cultural Genocide: The systematic destruction of a group's culture, including its language, traditions, and practices, often through policies aimed at forced assimilation.