The Biography of Geronimo - Essay Example

Life of Geronimo Introduction: Geronimo (the one who yawns) was a Native American leader. He was known as Goyathlay or Goyahkla in English and was said to be born in June, 1829 but in reality he was born a few years earlier. According to Jason Betzinez, Geronimo and his mother was brought up together since their childhood. Her date of birth was approximated to be in the year 1823. It has also been found out that Geronimo had a wife and three children prior to or after 1850. He was the leader of Apache tribe which was located near the small streams of Gila River in southwestern Arizona. At that time, Arizona was a part of Mexico (Debo, 7). Early Life: The Apache tribe regarded their native land with special connection. Taklishim was the name of his father which means “The Gray One”. He was the son of the leader, Mahko of the Bedonkohe Apache tribe. His mother’s name was Juana (Spanish name). She also belonged to Apache tribe. Invasion of Spanish settlements had continued for centuries. Being an adult, Geronimo used to speak Spanish which he might have obtained from his mother or might have picked up from association with the Mexicans. Mahko died when Taklishim was a young fighter. Thus, Geronimo had not had a chance to see his grandfather (Debo, 8). Geronimo grew up listening about his grandfather’s accomplishments from his father, Taklishim. Mahko had great strength and capacity. On the other hand, he was a peace loving person. In Mahko’s time, trade and commerce were established with the Mexicans. However, there were customs of old battles and annexations. The young Geronimo was inspired by the tales of these achievements (Debo, 9). It is impossible to disentangle the tribal divisions of Apaches completely with whom the Bedonkohes were connected. According to the ethnologists, the Apache tribe which Geronimo belonged was regarded as Chiricahuas which had been generalized in official terms (Debo, 9). Previously, people who used to reside in the mountains of south-eastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico were regarded as the Gilas (Debo, 12). When Geronimo grew up, he used to help his father in cultivation (Debo, 21). Since his childhood, he knew the art of hunting. The young Apache boys were taught hunting and to take care of the horses. They were trained to use bow and arrows and taught to make weapons and equipments. They indulged in painstaking physical training (Debo, 18-19). When he grew up, he married Alope who was an associate of Nednai band of Apache (Haugen, 26). Apache Warrior: The year 1831 was the critical juncture in the history of boundaries. The period between 1831 and 1891 marked the commencement of Apache-Mexican war. The basic cause of Apache-Mexican war was the exploitation of Apaches by Mexicans. According to Benjamin Davis Wilson, after the independence of Mexico in 1821, the country had begun to mistreat the Indians severely. The government also did not take any initiative to protect those Indians. Thus, from that time, the Indians started to rebel against Mexicans (Smith, 40). However, the historians do not admit that the evil administration of the government was the primary determinant of the uprising. The historians also do not forgive the Apaches of embezzlement and minor annexation (Smith, 41). The Apache’s disgust towards the Mexicans became insatiable. Over the years, the Apaches had tried to join several groups like Navajos and Utes in order to harm the Mexican settlements. The Apaches wanted to save their homelands from the Mexican invasion and dishonesty (Smith, 42). The tension between United States and Mexico had been growing for several years. Texas which had been a part of Mexico for several years got freed on its own in 1835. A year later, it established itself as Republic of Texas. At that time, Mexico failed to identify Texas independence and threatened United States to stay out of the argument. However, the Americans believe in Manifest Destiny. They used to dream that their country would be stretched across North America-from Atlantic to Pacific Ocean. The land of Mexico stood in between United States and their dream. In spite of severe threat by Mexico, United States of America seized Texas which had become a nation in the year 1835. The Mexicans reacted by untying all the diplomatic relations with United States (Haugen, 29). Dispute went on increasing as United States wanted to annex more of Mexican territories. On 13th May, 1946, Congress declared war against Mexico. The Apache tribe initially did not pay much attention to the war as they used to believe that it would not have any kind of impact on them. However, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which led to an end of the conflict in 1848 changed the lives of Apache tribes completely (Haugen, 30). Under the treaty, Mexico was about to receive $15 million from United States by forgoing 525,000 square miles. The part of land included Utah, California, Nevada, some parts of Colorado and Wyoming, and maximum area of New Mexico and Arizona (Haugen, 30). Apache made camping ground in exterior part of Janos. They planned to stay at Janos, Mexico although their destination was Casas Grandes. Every day the Apache men went to town to purchase basic amenities for their families and returned back at night. The women and the children used to stay back at camps safeguarded by some fighters. After few days, Carrasco, one of the soldiers of Mexico killed nearly twenty-four people which included family of Geronimo. Many members of Apache group were captured by the Mexican soldiers. The rest of the Apaches returned to Gila River. Geronimo was devastated with anger and sadness (Haugen, 34). Mangas Coloradas called for a war committee to resolve what the Apaches should do to take revenge of the death of their near and dear ones (Haugen, 35). The committee selected Geronimo to convince the other Apache tribes to join the committee (Haugen, 36). After the death of Manga, Geronimo gained power. Manga had paid for life by trusting the white men (Haugen, 48). Geronimo had lack of faith over the soldiers. The seniors of the Apache tribe started to seek for the thoughts and beliefs from Geronimo. Meanwhile, United States had established itself to be an enemy of the Apache tribe. However, Geronimo primarily concentrated on the Mexicans. His extreme hatred towards Mexico never died (Haugen, 49). Surrender: In the summer of 1862, the raids of the Apaches under the supervision of Geronimo proved to be successful (Barett, 30). He was soon arrested and sent back to the new condition, where he cultivated for a while (Geronimo). He was told that he was captured because he had left Apache Pass (Barett, 79). He was kept as a prisoner for consecutive four months and then after he was transported to San Carlos (Barett, 80). In 1881 he escaped again with an organization (including a son of Cochise) and led invasions in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. He admitted defeat in 1883 to forces under General George Crook and was returned to the condition. He was charged of heading towards Mexico with the intention of rebelling against the Mexicans (Haugen, 61). In 1885 he again left. Approximately after one year of prolonged war he approved to surrender to Crook, however, at the last minute Geronimo escaped. His flee led to reprimand of Crook's policy. In late 1886, Geronimo and the remaining warrior of his troop admitted defeat to General Nelson Appleton Miles , Crook's descendant (Geronimo). On 3rd September, 1886, Gen. Miles came to Geronimo at Skeleton Canyon and assured him that he and his fellowmen would be sent to Florida and they would be staying together (Haugen, 70). Geronimo was unaware that he would be kept as prisoner (Haugen, 73). Prisoners of War: Cleveland granted Geronimo and his mates to stay alive. However, they were exiled as prisoners of war to Fort Pickens, Florida. The promise to stay together was totally forgotten by the U.S. officials (Haugen, 76). Gradually, Geronimo and his fellowmen were sent to Mount Veron Barracks and they were united again (Haugen, 80). On 4th October, 1894, Geronimo and his group of men were sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma (Haugen, 82). In spite of Geronimo’s constant petition they were placed under military detention (Haugen, 83). At Oklahoma he settled down and embraced Christianity, and became plea a successful farmer. The term of his imprisonment permitted him to appear in public events. He became a national personality when he came into sight at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 and in Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade in 1905 (Geronimo) (Haugen, 86-87). He died on 17th February, 1909 without having the benefit to die in his homeland. At that time, his age was 79 (Haugen, 94). He was obscured at the Apache Cemetery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma (Haugen, 95). Conclusion: Throughout the study, we have gone through the biography of Geronimo. The early age, adulthood and his background have been covered through this study. The accomplishments or contributions of Geronimo to the history of American Indians have been addressed through this study. He was a brave warrior who fought till end. However, we feel sad that he did not have the luck to die in his homeland for which he had been fighting for so long. References: 1. Barett, S.M. Geronimo’s story of his life. Massachusetts: Cosimo, Inc., 2007. 2. Debo, Angie. Geronimo: The Man, His Time, His Place. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1989. 3. Encyclopedia.com. n.d. available at: http://www.encyclopedia.com. (Accessed on July 16, 2009). 4. Haugen, Brenda. Geronimo: Apache Warrior. Minnesota: Compass Point Books, 2006 5. Smith, Ralph Adam. Borderlander: the life of James Kirker, 1793-1852. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1999. Read More