Americanization Collection

CETSHWAYO (1826-1884). Last Zulu King

SEQUOYA (1770?-1843). Native American scholar, with his printed Cherokee alphabet. Painting by Henry Inmam, after a painting by Charles Bird King, c1830

ANTI-IMMIGRATION CARTOON. Spoiling the Broth. American cartoon, 1921, critical of the arrival of so many immigrants that a great number failed to become assimilated into the national melting pot

Spoiling the Broth. American cartoon, 1921, critical of the arrival of so many immigrants that a great number failed to
ANTI-IMMIGRATION CARTOON. Spoiling the Broth. American cartoon, 1921, critical of the arrival of so many immigrants that a great number failed to become assimilated into the national melting pot

Apache Native American children as they arrived from Fort Marion, Florida
CARLISLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. Apache Native American children as they arrived from Fort Marion, Florida, to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania

JOHN ROSS (1790-1866). Cherokee chief. Also known as Guwisguwi. Lithograph, 1836

IMMIGRATION CARTOON, 1916. The First Step. Cartoon from an American newspaper, 1916, promoting the learning of English as the immigrants first step to productive and successful citizenship

SIOUX BOYS, 1891. Three Lakota Sioux teenage boys in western clothing, sitting near a tree. Photographed in 1891 by John C.H. Grabill, probably on or near the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota

POSTER: WORLD WAR I, 1917. Many Peoples - One Nation. Let Us Unite to Americanize America. Nationalist poster printed and published by Ray Greenleaf during World War I, 1917

AMERICANIZATION CLASS, c1920. Recent immigrants to the United States in an Americanization class sponsored by the Washington, D.C. Board of Education. Photograph, c1920

JIM THORPE (1888-1953). James Francis Thorpe. American athlete. Oil over a photograph taken in 1911, when he was on the Carlisle Indian School football team

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1902. Classroom at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Oil over a photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1902

ELIZABETH ROSS (1789-1876). American Cherokee. Oil painting by John Mix Stanley, 1844

RED CLOUD (1822-1909). Oglala Sioux chief. Red Cloud (seated) with his son, Jack Red Cloud, and his granddaughter. Photograph, c1909

RED CLOUD (1822-1909). Oglala Sioux Native American chief. Photographed in western clothing, c1900

RED CLOUD (1822-1909). Native American Oglala Sioux chief. Photographed in 1880 in western dress while at the Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania

JOHN RIDGE (c1802-1839). Cherokee Native American leader. Lithograph after a painting, 1825, by Charles Bird King

JIM THORPE (1888-1953). James Francis Thorpe. American athlete. Thorpe while on the Carlisle Indian School football team in 1911

STAND WATIE (1806-1871). Native American Cherokee leader and Confederate army officer

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Female students playing croquet at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOOL, c1910. A sewing class at the Bismarck Indian School, Bismarck, North Dakota. Photograph, c1910

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Debating class at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Infirmary at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Clothes mending class at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Ironing class at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Cooking class at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Elementary school class at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1901. Music class at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1901

CARLISLE SCHOOL, c1902. Classroom at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, c1902

HAMPTON INSTITUTE, 1899. A class in American History at the Hampton Institute, Virginia. Oil over a photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1899

CARLISLE SCHOOL, 1900. Students at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Indian Industrial School. Photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1900

WOVOKA (c1858-1932). Also known as Jack Wilson. Northern Paiute religious leader who founded the Ghost Dance movement. Charcoal drawing after a photograph by James Mooney, 1891

RESERVATION: CHURCH, c1890. A Christian church on an Indian reservation on Tejon Ranch in Kern County, California. Photograph by Carleton Watkins, c1890

CALIFORNIA: PAIUTE MEN. Group of Paiute Native Americans Stereograph, c1865

SIOUX DELEGATION, 1889. A delegation of Sioux chiefs sent to ratify the sale of lands in South Dakota to the United States government. Photographed in Washington, D.C. December 1889

PINE RIDGE RESERVATION. Small Oglala Sioux tipi camp in front of U.S. government school buildings on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Photographed in 1891 by John C.H. Grabill

CREEK CHIEF, c1838. Tustennuggee Emathla or Jim Boy, a Creek Native American chief. Lithograph, American, c1838

APACHE CHIEF, c1898. Naiche, a Chiricahua Apache chief, dressed in a military uniform. Photograph by Adolph Muhr, c1898

PUSHMATAHA (c1765-1824). Oil on canvas, 1824, by Charles Bird King

SIOUX SCOUT. Womans Dress, an Oglala Sioux scout. Photograph, 19th century

NAVAJO MAN, c1904. A policeman. Navajo man wearing a hat. Photograph by Edward Curtis, c1904

Native American students photographed after arriving at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle
CARLISLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. Native American students photographed after arriving at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, late 19th or early 20th century

LUTHER STANDING BEAR (1868-1939). Oglala Sioux Native American writer and actor. Photographed at Chicago, Illinois, c1891

CHEROKEE DELEGATION, 1730. The Cherokee Embassy to England. The delegation of Cherokee chiefs who visited London in 1730. Line engraving by Isaac Basire, 1730

NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATION. The Gay Head, Massachusetts, Native American reservation school. Wood engraving, 1860

INDIAN RESERVATION SCHOOL. The Gay Head, Massachusetts Native American Reservation school. Wood engraving, American, 1860

IMMIGRANTS: CHINESE, 1876. A Chinese mission school at the Methodist chapel in Jackson Street, San Francisco, California. Wood engraving, American, 1876

NAVAJO DELEGATION, c1874. Navajo delegates to Washington, D. C. c1874. Front row
NAVAJO DELEGATION, c1874. Navajo delegates to Washington, D.C. c1874. Front row, left to right: Carmero Mucho; Mariana; Juanita, wife of Manuelito; Manuelito

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"Americanization: A Journey of Assimilation and Cultural Transformation" The concept has shaped the nation's history, as individuals from diverse backgrounds have sought to integrate into the fabric of American society. From influential figures like Cetshwayo, the last Zulu King, to Sequoya, a Native American scholar who developed the printed Cherokee alphabet, this process has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. In the early 20th century, an anti-immigration cartoon titled "Spoiling the Broth" depicted concerns about immigrants failing to assimilate into America's melting pot. This sentiment was echoed in a critical American cartoon from 1921 that highlighted how mass immigration led to difficulties in achieving national unity. Efforts were made to facilitate integration through institutions such as the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. Here, Apache and Sioux children arrived dressed in western clothing with hopes of embracing American culture while preserving their own heritage. These schools aimed at imparting skills necessary for success within mainstream society. During World War I, a poster boldly proclaimed "Many Peoples - One Nation. Let Us Unite to Americanize America, " emphasizing unity amidst diversity during times of conflict. Additionally, Americanization classes provided recent immigrants with opportunities to learn English and familiarize themselves with customs essential for full participation in their new homeland. Notable individuals like Jim Thorpe showcased how successful assimilation could lead to remarkable achievements. Thorpe's athletic prowess transcended cultural boundaries as he became one of America's greatest athletes despite his Native American heritage. However, it is important not to overlook those who resisted forced assimilation efforts imposed upon them. Figures like John Ross and Elizabeth Ross fought tirelessly for Cherokee rights while maintaining their distinct identity within an ever-changing landscape. In essence, "Americanization" encapsulates a complex narrative where different cultures converge and adapt over time. It reflects both struggles faced by newcomers seeking acceptance and successes achieved when embracing the American way of life.