Introduction
The Native American population brought troubles to new Euro-American settlements in California, which prompted measures to create legal systems and tools to destroy the Indians. One of the measures was the An Act for the Government and Protection of Indians, also known as Chapter 133, introduced in 1850 (Lindsay, 2015). The Act implemented several regulations that contributed to the cultural and physical genocide of Native Americans.
Chapter 133 Regulations
Obligatory Labor Contracts
Chapter 133 regulated many aspects of relations with indigenous peoples, contributing to an integrated approach to their destruction. The law led to enslavement, displacement, and separation of Native American families, causing genocide. In particular, the Chapter created the requirements under which Native Americans go to work under any conditions; otherwise, punishment followed, which led to their physical enslavement (Lindsay, 2015).
The law stated that the labor contracts were “obligatory on the part of the Indian” (as cited in Lindsay, 2015, p. 252). This situation meant permissiveness for the actions of whites hiring Indians. Forced employment led to the resettlement of many Native Americans, the separation of families, and attempts to teach them by Euro-American settlers, which can be considered attacks on Indian culture.
Apprentice System
Another manifestation of enslavement and genocide was the apprentice system. Such a system seemed different from Southern slavery, as it involved distributing children to families where they could learn the craft with subsequent liberation. However, working conditions were similar, and children became slaves. White settlers could easily claim Native American children at court if they wanted slaves, which did not even require trade as with slavery (Lindsay, 2015). Gradually, the system expanded to include Indian adults and became another method for destroying Indian tribes.
Conclusion
Although Chapter 133 provided extremely difficult conditions for Native Americans, it cannot be assumed that they did not express resistance in various forms. For example, the Indians sought to preserve their culture and push tribes to unite. Ghost Dance promotes unity between indigenous peoples and calls for the protection of spirits, which can be seen as resistance to laws such as Chapter 133. Thus, despite physical and cultural destruction, the Indians resisted it, striving to protect their people.
Reference
Lindsay, B. C. (2015). The murder state: California’s Native American genocide, 1846-1873. The University of Nebraska Press.