The Rediscovery Of America By Ned Blackhawk

2024 George Washington Prize Finalist 

The presence of Native Americans is a fundamental aspect of U.S. history, yet traditional histories have predominantly centered on Europeans and their descendants. This longstanding oversight of Indigenous history is being rectified by a new wave of scholars who argue that a comprehensive American history must include the struggles, survival, and resurgence of American Indian nations. Understanding Indigenous history is crucial to comprehending the development of modern America.

Ned Blackhawk intricately weaves together five centuries of Native and non-Native histories, spanning from Spanish colonial exploration to the rise of Native American self-determination in the late 20th century. In this transformative synthesis, he demonstrates that:
- The success of European colonization in the 1600s was not guaranteed;
- Native nations played a role in shaping England’s imperial crisis;
- The first shots of the American Revolution were influenced by Indian affairs in the interior;
- California Indians, targeted by federally funded militias, were among the earliest casualties of the Civil War;
- The Union victory significantly altered Native communities across the West;
- Twentieth-century reservation activists reshaped American law and policy.

Blackhawk’s reinterpretation of U.S. history highlights the enduring power, agency, and survival of Indigenous peoples, offering a more accurate account of the United States and unveiling new perspectives on the nation's history.