James W. Loewen Quote

Another result of the War of 1812 was the loss of part of our history. As historian Bruce Johansen put it, A century of learning [from Native Americans] was coming to a close. A century and more of forgetting--of calling history into service to rationalize conquest--was beginning. After 1815 American Indians could no longer play what sociologists call the role of conflict partner--an important other who must be taken into account--so Americans forgot that Natives had ever been significant in our history. Even terminology changed: until 1815 the word had generally been used to refer to Native Americans; after 1815 it meant European Americans.