Carlisle Indian Industrial School

Definition

The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was an institution established in 1879 in Pennsylvania that aimed to assimilate Native American students into Euro-American culture through education and vocational training. This school was part of a larger policy to 'civilize' Native Americans by erasing their cultural identities and promoting Western values, which reflects the trials, challenges, and transformations faced by Indigenous peoples during this period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was founded by Captain Richard Henry Pratt, who believed in the idea of 'killing the Indian and saving the man' as a means of assimilation.
2. Students at Carlisle were often forbidden to speak their native languages, practice their cultures, or even maintain connections with their families during their time at the school.
3. The school operated until 1918 and was one of the most well-known institutions of its kind, influencing many other boarding schools across the United States.
4. Graduates of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School were expected to return to their communities as 'civilized' individuals who could serve as role models for others.
5. The legacy of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School continues to be felt today, as it represents a painful chapter in the history of Native American education and cultural oppression.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School reflect broader themes of assimilation and cultural transformation in Native American history?
  • The establishment of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School epitomized the push for assimilation that characterized U.S. policy towards Native Americans in the late 19th century. The school's approach sought to transform Indigenous students into model citizens of Euro-American society by stripping them of their cultural identities. This attempt at forced assimilation not only impacted the students but also had long-lasting effects on Native American communities as they grappled with cultural dislocation and loss.
• What were some methods used at Carlisle Indian Industrial School to enforce assimilation among its students, and what were the implications of these methods?
  • At Carlisle Indian Industrial School, methods such as forbidding the use of native languages, imposing Euro-American dress codes, and emphasizing vocational training over traditional cultural practices were employed to enforce assimilation. These practices aimed to erase Indigenous identities and instill Western values in students. The implications were profound: many students experienced emotional trauma, loss of cultural heritage, and difficulty reintegrating into their communities after leaving the school.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School on Native American identity and community structure in the context of ongoing cultural challenges.
  • The long-term impact of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School on Native American identity is significant. The forced assimilation policies created generational trauma within Indigenous communities that struggled with identity loss and cultural disconnection. Even today, many Native American tribes are working to reclaim their languages and traditions that were suppressed during this period. This historical context highlights ongoing challenges faced by Native peoples as they navigate modern society while striving to preserve their unique cultural heritage.

Related terms

Assimilation: The process through which individuals or groups from one culture are absorbed into another culture, often losing their original cultural identity.

Boarding Schools: Residential educational institutions where Native American children were taken to live and study, often against their will, with the goal of eradicating their native cultures.

Cultural Genocide:

The systematic destruction of a group's culture, language, and identity, which occurred through various policies and practices aimed at Indigenous populations.