Murder State - California's Native American Genocide, 1846-1873 (Hardcover)

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the Euro-American citizenry of California carried out mass genocide against the Native population of their state, using the processes and mechanisms of democracy to secure land and resources for themselves and their private interests. The murder, rape, and enslavement of thousands of Native people were legitimized by notions of democracy--in this case mob rule--through a discreetly organized and brutally effective series of petitions, referenda, town hall meetings, and votes at every level of California government.
"Murder State" is a comprehensive examination of these events and their early legacy. Preconceptions about Native Americans as shaped by the popular press and by immigrants' experiences on the overland trail to California were used to further justify the elimination of Native people in the newcomers' quest for land. The allegedly "violent nature" of Native people was often merely their reaction to the atrocities committed against them as they were driven from their ancestral lands and alienated from their traditional resources.
In this narrative history employing numerous primary sources and the latest interdisciplinary scholarship on genocide, Brendan C. Lindsay examines the darker side of California history, one that is rarely studied in detail, and the motives of both Native Americans and Euro-Americans at the time. "Murder State" calls attention to the misuse of democracy to justify and commit genocide.

General

Imprint:	University of Nebraska Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	June 2012
First published:	June 2012
Authors:	Brendan C Lindsay
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 38mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Cloth over boards / Cloth over boards
Pages:	456
ISBN-13:	978-0-8032-2480-3
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > American history > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > Indigenous peoples Books > Social sciences > Warfare & defence > Other warfare & defence issues > War crimes > Genocide Books > History > American history > General Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Promotions
LSN:	0-8032-2480-X
Barcode:	9780803224803

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