Kill the Indian Save the Man Policy — Reading Comprehension

In the late 1800s, the United States government created a policy known as "Kill the Indian, Save the Man." This controversial policy aimed to assimilate Native American children into mainstream American culture by removing them from their families and sending them to government-run boarding schools. The phrase, used by Army officer Richard Pratt, revealed the policy's purpose: to erase Native identities and replace them with what officials considered "civilized" American ways.

Many government leaders believed that Native Americans would not survive unless they gave up their traditional cultures. They saw Native languages, clothing, and beliefs as "barriers" to progress. As a solution, they established boarding schools like the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. These schools forced students to cut their hair, wear uniforms, and speak only English. In 1892, Pratt declared, "A great general has said that the only good Indian is a dead one... In a sense, I agree with the sentiment, but only in this: that all the Indian there is in the race should be dead." This quote shows the extreme goal of the policy: to destroy Native cultures, not people, but at a great personal cost.

For Native American communities, the policy was a disaster. Children were separated from their families for years and punished if they spoke their Native languages or practiced their traditions. Many experienced trauma and loss of identity. Boarding schools often used harsh discipline, and students sometimes faced poor nutrition and overcrowding. Some children died at these schools due to disease and neglect. The pain of these experiences was felt not only by individuals but by entire tribes and future generations.

However, not everyone in the United States supported this policy. Some activists, including Native leaders and a few non-Native allies, criticized the boarding school system. They argued that true education should respect students' cultures and languages. Native families resisted in different ways. Some kept children home or taught them traditional ways in secret. Others spoke out against the injustices of the system, hoping to protect their children and preserve their heritage.

The government justified the policy by claiming it would help Native Americans become "productive citizens." Officials argued that by abandoning their cultures, Native children would have better chances in American society. Yet, the reality was that many students left the schools feeling lost—caught between two worlds and accepted by neither. The policy failed to consider the deep value of Native traditions, community, and self-determination. Instead, it caused lasting harm and contributed to the ongoing marginalization of Native peoples.

Today, historians carefully examine the evidence and stories from survivors to understand the full impact of this era. They use primary sources like letters, photographs, and official reports to piece together the truth. This history reminds us of the dangers of forced cultural erasure and the importance of respecting diversity in a society. The legacy of the "Kill the Indian, Save the Man" policy continues to affect Native communities, but many are working to reclaim their languages, traditions, and identities.

Interesting Fact: The Carlisle Indian School, the first and most famous boarding school, operated from 1879 to 1918 and enrolled over 10,000 Native American children from more than 140 tribes.

Who created the Kill the Indian policy?

What was the main goal of the policy?

When did Carlisle Indian School open?

Why did officials forbid Native languages?

How did Native families resist the policy?

What is a primary source?

Boarding schools respected Native customs. True or false?

What does 'marginalization' mean?