Setting
Montana 1948 was set in Bentrock, Mercer County, Montana. This was a small town with a population less than two thousand people. Although this county had both farms and ranches, they were neither large nor wealthy.
In the early 1800 Montana has been widely inhabited by Native Americans, the Blackfoot, The Sioux, the Avopaho and many other tribes. During the 19 century the vast parts of land were forcibly taken away from Indians and converted into farms and ranches and subsequently many towns have been established. The discovery of minerals and development of mining followed and thousand of natives were forced to live on allocated parcels of land called reservations, govern by the government officials. Native people were considered inferior to white people and not given any support or understanding. Their system of beliefs and ways of living has been ridiculed by many. Even after 1924 when Indians were given American citizenship the attitudes have not changed. During 20th century many Americans believed that”
Indian problem” will be resolved by steady decline in aboriginal population due to high level of disease, short life expectancy and lack of resources. Despite the official policy of assimilation many held the view that the Indian was a
vanishing American. This attitude resulted in mistreatment and abuse of many Native Americans.
Indian problem” will be resolved by steady decline in aboriginal population due to high level of disease, short life expectancy and lack of resources. Despite the official policy of assimilation many held the view that the Indian was a
vanishing American. This attitude resulted in mistreatment and abuse of many Native Americans.