Weaving the Future, Confronting the Past:
Mini Lesson 1: Historical Artifact Analysis
Lesson Overview
What can historical artifacts reveal about the attitudes of U.S. settlers towards California Indians during the California Indian Genocide?
In this mini-lesson, students will use the Ten Stages of Genocide framework and primary sources to analyze Western attitudes towards California Native people during the Gold Rush era. This lesson is meant to supplement Lesson 1: Introduction to the California Indian Genocide.
Time Frame: 1 Class Period (50 minutes)
Content Level: Grades 8-12
Aligned Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-12.1; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-12.1,2,4,6,7,9; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-12.9
Learning Objectives:
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Students will analyze and interpret a variety of primary sources to identify prevailing attitudes towards California Indians during the California Indian Genocide.
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Students will gain an understanding of the historical context surrounding the California Indian Genocide, including the societal, political, and economic factors that contributed to settlers' attitudes and actions.
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Students will engage in ethical reasoning by examining the moral implications of the settlers' attitudes and actions, considering questions of justice, responsibility, and human rights.
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Students will enhance their written and verbal communication skills by summarizing their findings, engaging in class discussions, and/or presenting their analyses to their peers.
Materials:
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Historical Artifacts Packet
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Historical Artifacts Mind Mapping Activity
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Google Slides with analysis questions (optional)
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Google Form with analysis questions (optional)
Unknown artist, print on paper: engraving, hand colored, 185?, Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. Text Transcription: Indienne Californienne du Sud 16 ans au prix d’une livre de poudre de chasse et une bouteille de brandy [A sixteen year old Southern California Indian female at the price of a pound of gunpowder, and a bottle of brandy]
Bond of the State of California for War Indebtedness, 1853-1862. Ink on paper, 11.375 x 12 in. Collection of the Oakland Museum of California, Museum purchase. Text Transcription: “BOND OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR WAR INDEBTEDNESS IN CONFORMITY WITH an Act authorizing the TREASURER OF THE STATE to issue Bonds for the payment of the expenses of certain Expeditions against the Indians, Approved May 3, 1852.”
John McDougal, 2nd Governor of California Jan. 7, 1852
Unknown artist, print on paper: engraving, hand colored, 185?, Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. Text Transcription: Indienne Californienne du Sud 16 ans au prix d’une livre de poudre de chasse et une bouteille de brandy [A sixteen year old Southern California Indian female at the price of a pound of gunpowder, and a bottle of brandy]
Part Three:
Journal Entry
Complete a 500-word journal entry reflecting on the artifacts, OR
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Organize an awareness campaign around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) for the young Native girl depicted in Artifact 1.
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Embark on a scavenger hunt using California Indian History’s extensive collection of primary sources to locate newspaper clippings that pair with the
Expeditions Against the Indians listed in Artifact 3.
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Pull language from Artifacts 4 and 6 to create your own found poetry.
