NA New Deal Flashcards
1
Q
Negative View + Quote
A
The Indian New Deal ignored many of the problems Natives faced, and many of its solutions only brought the wreckage to them
- “There was concern Collier did not understand Native American needs” - Clements (This view can easily be challenged as Collier was responsible for a number of the decisions that preserved NA culture. Senator Wheeler on the committee was responsible for changing much of the bill)
2
Q
Balanced View
A
- The administration had good intentions and brought some positives to NAs, even though they were not FDR’s main priority. However, the scope of the Indian New Deal was limited
3
Q
Positive View + Quote
A
- The New Deal marked a major turning point for Indians, as they benefited hugely from the programme and it was significantly different from the federal policies of previous years
- Willoughby & Willoughby: “By 1941, the position of the Native Americans had improved as a result of the supportive policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt”
4
Q
Situation before the New Deal
A
- Between 1900 and 1930, Indians had lost more than ½ of their land
- Had been disproportionately affected by the Great Depression
- 1924- Indian Citizenship act made all NA’s citizens whether they wanted it or not
- Colliers Meriam Report 1928- Highlights the failures of assimilation and allotment policies and criticizes Reservations for the poor economic positions of NA’s
5
Q
Role of IRA for land rights
A
- The Indian reorganisation act of 1934 (a.k.a. Wheeler- Howard act) stopped the sale of NA lands and recovered unallocated land which was used to expand reservations.
- Tribes added 2.1 million acres to their land base between 1935 and 1937
- Under the act, corporations were established to ensure that resources on the reservations were better managed
- Allotment policy was abandoned
- All land not yet sold was returned to tribal control and so their right to land was further heightened.
6
Q
Progress in income
A
- By 1950, average income for Blackfeet families was $2,639/ year
7
Q
Role of Gladys Tantaquidgeon
A
- Gladys Tantaquidgeon (woman) attended the University of Pennsylvania before working for the Indian Bureau in the 1930s. (NA women being inspired to obtain a higher education)
- Many other NAs were pushed towards higher eeducation
8
Q
Impact on healthcare, education, businesses, jobs and other economic benefits
A
- Increased funding for Indian health care
- IRA authorised tribes to form corporations and launch business enterprises
- NA’s became increasingly involved with the BIA
- NA women are given the opportunity to train for domestic work as well as being stimulated by Collier’s work to engage in arts and crafts as an economic venture.
- Women encouraged to take up higher education
- Collier built schools, hospitals and irrigation systems to improve conditions and life on the reservations.
- Training in farming provided
- Better medical services established
- 15,000 went through the CCC
9
Q
Limitations of the economic improvements for NAs
A
- Poverty of NA’s was so great that most of the reforms did little to improve their position.
- Most of the lands recovered were poor quality due to the fact that white settlers had no interest in buying them so they were given back to NA’s which did not improve their economic prospects
- NA’s had insufficient funds to buy back the land that had been sold.
- Annual budget of the BIA could not cope and as a result, many Indians were left with insufficient healthcare/ housing
- Native Americans were given limited power to control their economic affairs
- Improvements were short-lived as they were not maintained in the period after WW2.
10
Q
Progression of the Right to political self-determination
A
- NA’s were provided with a greater role in administering their reservations and also saw the establishment of corporations on the reservations to ensure resources were better managed
- Tribes on reservations were led by Tribal councils again, which earlier governments had wanted to break up. This allowed them to restore tribal loyalties.
- Recognised their semi-sovereign status
- Allowed them to draw up their own constitutions
- IRA extended political rights to Native American women
- New Deal meant NAs could now be recognised as semi-sovereign peoples, as well as giving authority to their tribal councils and allowing them new Constitutions. Eval: Tribal council’s’ actions were scrutinised by the Secretary of the Interior and many Indians had no part in writing the new Constitutions
11
Q
Role of John Collier
A
- John Collier
- Before being appointed to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, he opposed and defeated the Bursum Bill and helped form the American Indian Defence Association to campaign for increased land, resources and greater religious and educational freedom.
- As Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Collier implemented a number of reforms with his most notable success being the IRA in 1934.
- Collier encouraged young NA’s to be more militant in order to secure their rights.
12
Q
Aim of the Indian Reorganization Act
A
- An attempt to preserve as much of the traditional Indian way of life as possible. In particular to make reservations a permanent, sovereign homeland
13
Q
Progresses to their social rights
A
- Native American’s right to practice their own religion is asserted and their cultural identity is protected. Eg) A law from 1883 which banned ceremonial dances and celebrations is overthrown
- NA children were allowed to attend local schools and learn about NA culture
- Collier had a deep respect for Native culture - Indian Reorganization Act overturned an 1883 law banning ceremonial dances - also allowed them to use the hallucinatory drug peyote for religious purposes and Native children attended local schools where they would learn about their own culture
14
Q
Examples of exisiting social attitudes with the New Deal
A
- Whites still believed they knew what was best for Native Americans as secret balloting in the voting for the New Deal was used.
- Voting process via secret ballots to see if they accepted the Act continued policy of assimilation as well as the NA’s perceiving this as the white man’s culture being forced upon them. Their culture was to discuss matters openly.
- 75 out of 245 tribes rejected the measures of the Indian Reorganization Act
15
Q
Why were many NAs unhappy with the New Deal
A
-Distinct lack of enthusiasm from NA tribal leaders as Collier had not consulted them as to whether or not they wanted self-determination. (Many did not want it as they had already been assimilating for 40 years)
BUT: NAs were able to opt out whereas the Dawes Act of 1887 was obligatory
