Life of Black Hawk

The theme of Colonialism and Black Hawk’s Physical and Literary Resistance recurs as the Sauk’s determination grew under the threats of the American army. However, Black Hawk realizes that his hopes for help and support were false. As a leader, he believed his men would not make it to battle without provisions and attempted a truce. Following his narration, the battles started when the American army attacked and killed the men Black Hawk had sent to negotiate peace. A prolonged period of violent conflict followed, historically known as the Black Hawk War of 1832. Again, Black Hawk stresses the he “was forced into war” (78). The killing of his “unarmed warriors” by the US army, the tribe’s inability to gather food, and provisions and the continual mistreatment by white settlers and officials determined Black Hawk’s decision to fight. However, from the start of the war, Black Hawk was concerned about the safety of the Sauk women and children. Black Hawk details various ways that he resisted this colonialism, whether by violent or nonviolent means. His narrative is one of resistance to this resettlement, and the narrative itself resists literary colonialism as he attempts to tell his own story.

Black Hawk describes instances of the battles in which he led successful attacks against American forts and settlements; he says the army retreated several times. Things took a turn when lack of provisions impacted the Sauk. Black Hawk notes that many died due to hunger and all reached “a desperate condition” (83). The Sauk party was ultimately defeated, as Black Hawk describes, in a “massacre” that “terminated the war” and that is known as the Battle of the Bad Axe (86). His narration of the events show that Black Hawk did not participate in the fighting as he had fled. The Sauk warriors, however, persisted to the end. In the aftermath of the battle and with the number of losses the Sauk suffered, Black Hawk decided to surrender and becomes a prisoner of war. He continues to catalogue his and the Sauk’s resistance to the colonialism until the very end.

The theme of Colonialism and Black Hawk’s Physical and Literary Resistance remains pivotal as Black Hawk’s defeat in the war did not change his consciousness as an Indigenous man. As the US forces were taking him away from his village, Black Hawk thought of the “trouble, anxiety and blood” of his tribe while fighting for the land and stresses “the ingratitude of the whites” (87). Being imprisoned wounded Black Hawk’s pride as he was losing his status as a brave war leader: “A brave war chief would prefer death to dishonor!” (88). As US officials recognized Ke-o-kuck as the tribe’s chief, Black Hawk felt even more desperate. This account speaks to The Loss of Traditional Life and the Preservation of Indigenous Identity. As the white settlers advanced and the Sauk lost the war, the tribe lost its land and its culture. Black Hawk explains that he still retained his Indigenous identity, however, even if only in his mindset.

Even as a prisoner of the United States, Black Hawk wanted to return to his homeland and expected to live in freedom. While touring the eastern states, Black Hawk observed the developments and way of life of American society but criticized colonial expansion. The theme of Indigenous Versus White Values and Mindset is evident as Black Hawk opposes the ideology of colonial expansion: “I think, with them, that wherever the Great Spirit places his people, they ought to be satisfied to remain, and thankful for what He has given them” (89). Black Hawk proved insightful as he expected that even after the Sauk’s removal west of the Mississippi, European settlements would expand westward: “I am very much afraid, that in a few years, they will begin to drive and abuse our people, as they have formerly done” (94). Black Hawk’s controversial remarks about the elimination of African Americans demonstrate his desire to participate in the politics of the period and try to help his own nation. This point in the text demonstrates the complex and chaotic politics of colonialism. His reflections on white culture, however, demonstrate, once more, how he does not believe that white culture has a solid code of ethics. He contrasts this with the Sauk code of ethics that compels its people to remain good and honest throughout their lives.

By the end of his story and with thinking about the country’s future, he wishes for peace between the Sauk and the white people. However, he still views the Sauk as distinct from the white people and does not think of adopting the European culture. Black Hawk notes that white people would “always be welcome in [their] village,” showing that he still considers them as visitors in his homeland. He continues to emphasize Indigenous Versus White Values and Mindset at the narrative’s end.