The Apache and the US Military: A Long History of Conflict

A Legacy of Violence and Betrayal

The Apache people have a long and troubled history with the United States military. From the early days of westward expansion to the present day, the Apache have been subjected to violence, forced relocation, and cultural destruction at the hands of the US military.

The Apache Wars

The Apache Wars, which lasted from the 1860s to the 1880s, were a series of conflicts between the Apache and the US military. The wars were sparked by the US government’s attempts to forcibly relocate the Apache from their ancestral lands to reservations. The Apache, led by warriors such as Geronimo and Cochise, resisted the relocation efforts and fought back against the US military.

Broken Promises and Betrayal

The US military’s treatment of the Apache was marked by broken promises and betrayal. In the 1850s, the US government signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which guaranteed the Apache’s rights to their ancestral lands. However, the US military soon began to disregard the treaty and forcibly relocate the Apache to reservations.

The Legacy of Trauma

The conflicts between the Apache and the US military have left a lasting legacy of trauma and pain. Many Apache people continue to suffer from the effects of historical trauma, including intergenerational trauma, cultural suppression, and social and economic inequality.

Modern-Day Conflict

Despite the end of the Apache Wars, the conflict between the Apache and the US military continues to this day. The US military’s presence in Apache lands, including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, remains a source of tension and conflict. Additionally, the US government’s failure to address the historical injustices committed against the Apache has created ongoing social and economic disparities.

Conclusion

The Apache and the US military have a long and complex history of conflict. From the Apache Wars to the present day, the Apache have been subjected to violence, forced relocation, and cultural destruction at the hands of the US military. It is essential that the US government acknowledges and addresses the historical injustices committed against the Apache in order to begin healing the wounds of the past and building a more just and equitable future for all.