Overview
This section examines the U.S. government's treatment of Native Americans in the 19th century, focusing on policies, conflicts, and efforts to force assimilation and eradicate indigenous culture.
Early U.S. Policy and Indian Removal
- The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced Native Americans in eastern states to move to federal territory, mainly present-day Oklahoma (Indian Territory).
- The Trail of Tears was the brutal forced migration of Native Americans, resulting in over 4,000 deaths.
- The act mainly targeted tribes east of the Mississippi River.
Reservations and Broken Treaties
- For tribes west of the Mississippi, a reservation system designated specific lands for Native Americans, which settlers were supposed to avoid.
- The Treaty of Fort Laramie established reservations but settlers often encroached, leading to conflicts like the Dakota War and Sand Creek Massacre.
- New treaties often reduced the size and quality of native lands, such as the Treaty of Medicine Lodge Creek and the Second Treaty of Fort Laramie.
Major Conflicts and the Indian Wars
- Discovery of gold in the Black Hills led to U.S. attempts to buy land from the Sioux, resulting in resistance and battles.
- The Battle of Little Bighorn (1876), led by Sitting Bull, was a major defeat for U.S. forces under General Custer.
- Other notable events include Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce’s failed escape to Canada, and the Battle of Wounded Knee (1890), seen as the end of Native American armed resistance.
Assimilation and Americanization Policies
- Assimilation policies aimed to erase Native American culture and replace it with American customs, language, religion, and individual land ownership.
- Boarding schools like the Carlisle Indian School forced Native children to adopt American culture and abandon their heritage.
- The Dawes Act required Native Americans to own land individually rather than communally, leading to significant loss of tribal lands.
End of Native Sovereignty and Path to Citizenship
- By 1900, almost all Native Americans were controlled by U.S. authorities.
- The Ghost Dance, a religious movement, aimed to unite tribes but was suppressed after the Battle of Wounded Knee.
- U.S. citizenship was not granted to all Native Americans until 1924, symbolized by events like the Last Arrow Pageant.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Indian Removal Act — 1830 law that forced eastern tribes to relocate west of the Mississippi.
- Trail of Tears — Forced march of Native Americans to Oklahoma; thousands died.
- Reservation System — Designated land for tribal use, intended to keep settlers out.
- Dawes Act — 1887 law mandating individual land ownership for Native Americans.
- Ghost Dance — Religious movement seeking to restore Native culture and lands.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the textbook section on U.S. government policies towards Native Americans in the 19th century.
- Prepare examples of resistance and assimilation for discussion or exam.