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Projecting Violence as Self-Defense
The Declaration of Independence's 23rd complaint illustrates a strategic dehumanization of Native Americans, framing their resistance to colonial expansion as savage warfare. This projection served to justify the brutal treatment of indigenous peoples, including the targeting of non-combatants, under the guise of self-defense. Settler colonialism relies on the narrative that invasion is a protective measure against perceived threats, a theme commonly depicted in Western and military films.