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Sunday, May 29, 2011

The double-edged sword of the railroad and its impact on the Southwest Native American Indians

History indicates that the US policy "Manifest Destiny" was a double-edged sword for the many native American Indian Nations that inhabited the areas in the Southwest. To build the railway, the Government had to many tribal areas and the necessary contracts developed and agreed between the Indians and the Federal Government officials. Unfortunately, many of the treaties were ultimately broken by the United States and the many Indian Nations felt cheated.

At the same time the construction of the transcontinental railroad the door for many adventurous tourists "Go West" and the culture of the Indians and their art more closely exposed to. Before the railroad only the most courageous visitors of stage could coach in the Western United States... an experience that could many take weeks and the way the robbery and even to the death of hostile Indians, outlaws was defeated. The train was faster and more secure and more visitors to the variety of art forms that have been traditionally practiced by the Southwest Indian tribes led to the exposure of many. And the tribes realized that their previously isolated existence had become now more accessible and that the market for their art was quickly growing.

First it was the somewhat primitive and more utilitarian artifacts, were the Cherised of the curious tourists. As demand grew, which created native American artists, that it more potential profit in interesting art forms, the more time and dedication to detail required. What was once dark cover themselves during the winter months now keep warm was woven carpets with exquisite designs and colors. Utilitarian natural-colored clay pots highlights was artistic works of art with beautiful tones of black, white and red with intricate details and also horse hair. Simple Yucca leaf baskets now used for the storage of multi-colored was works of art. Turquoise and silver jewelry, which became a special art developed, after the Spanish took Silver mined the tribes, was now a way to make more valuable art trade.

The strategic trading post along stage coach lines were now important showcases of the native American Indian art, always. The trading post have been developed to meet a need in the Indian communities. The native American culture is a matrilineal culture, which means that legacy and valuables are passed through the women's families. The sheep and the houses have many women on the reservations. Valuables are in form of saddles, jewelry and animals. This was the traders who understand the Indian culture for banks unfamiliar, but completely in order. If times especially during the winter months were lean, trade that were available on the premium sales agencies would their valuables for the main staples of life the tribes on the nearby reservation.

Although Native American Indians by the Federal Government felt betrayed, trust their local trading post some who store their valuables in a form as a "dead pawn". Elements of tribal importance such as ceremonial headdress, skins and masks were stored on the premium sales agencies and then back to the tribes traded, if they were needed. The tribes traded only the items that have been made to meet the growing tourist and collector's demand, and this "live pawn" elements to outsiders from the trading post were sold.

The railway played an important role in the expansion of the United States and the development of the Wild West. They brought steel from the Eastern steel mills and other building materials from factories East of the Mississippi River. Put affordable transportation for men and women, of their horizons through "going out West" expand.

With the Federal Government for the extension of the railway companies were large parts of their lands in contracts, native American Indians in the Southwest. But the heart perceived losses in the country were due to the increasing demand for the native American Indian art, that they softened traditionally for centuries.

I am the owner of an e-commerce company, which specializes in authentic Southwest Native American Indian art including dream catcher, kachinas, KOKOPELLI, Ojo de Dios, ceramics and carpets.

The charm of the creations of Indians in interior design ideas, home textiles and accessories that make our homes more comforting and inviting.

We, Kathy (kata) and Greg (Goyo) have made in the Southwest (Tucson, Arizona) our House since the early 1960s. Over the years, we have ideas of love, which can be found in this area of the world to the unique decoration.

My native American Indian art Web site, see http://www.southwesternhomeaccessories.com/

Article source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregory_Crossett

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1 comments:

  1. Railroad in India cannot be revolutionised as there is a lot of population and most of the public is dependent in Railways.

    ReplyDelete

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