7. Way of Life on Reservations Flashcards
how was way of life far from easy?
NA unable to cultivate land (often unsuitable for farming)
dependent upon government for food supplies which often failed to appear.
many NA starved.
how did position of NA become worse in 1880
drought hit their crops and disease killed many of the cattle.
how was way of life on reservations humiliating for NA
Humiliating for NA to be dependent upon government aid.
Why did many NA die?
from infectious disease such as measles. Others appear to have died as they were unable to adjust to new way of life.
what was NA decline fuelled by?
availability of whiskey- many NA not accustomed
Alcohol addiction widespread due to psychological impact of having families torn apart.
Estimated by 1900 only _____ of original ______ NA inhabiting plains in 1860 remained.
100,000
240,000
summary of NA position
Lost their freedom. denied civil rights, treat as ‘wards of the state’ and were not tax payers.
exception to trend of worsened position
Navajo tribe,
adapted to new farming practices and built up large flocks of sheep and goats
increased size of their reservation
witnessed a considerable growth in their own numbers rising from 8000 in 1868 to some 22,000 by 1900
