Native American Theme Q Flashcards
Intro/concl
Sovereignty: Native American self-governance was systematically dismantled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through policies like the Dawes Act (1887) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) control. However, the Indian Reorganization Act (1934) and later self-determination policies (1970s) gradually restored some autonomy. Despite these gains, federal oversight remained a barrier to full sovereignty, and economic dependence on the U.S. government persisted.
Culture: Cultural suppression was most severe in the boarding school era (1869–1930s), where Native languages, traditions, and spiritual practices were criminalized. However, resistance movements—especially the Red Power Movement (1960s–70s)—led to legal protections such as the Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978) and the Native American Languages Act (1990). While these measures revived aspects of Native culture, the long-term impact of assimilation policies continued to affect generations.
Land: The Dawes Act (1887) and the Termination Policy (1950s–60s) stripped Native communities of millions of acres, contributing to poverty and displacement. However, by the late 20th century, legal victories such as United States v. Sioux Nation (1980) acknowledged the unlawful seizure of Native lands. While some tribes received financial compensation, many refused money in favor of actual land restoration—an ongoing struggle by 1992.
Sovereignty
Paternalistic policies of assimilation
Dawes 1887, Curtis Act 1898 and Lone Wolf v Hitchcock 1903- three branches of government agreeing on the same thing, eliminate NA sovereignty.
Citizenship Act 1924 and termination 1953- undermined traditional tribal governance structures and made them utterly dependent on FG, despite CA somewhat restoring sovereignty assimilation still persisted.
Indian Reorganisation Act 1934 (debates doc)
Harrison V Laveen 1948- overturned prior notion that NAs were illegible to vote. challenged state-level disenfranchisement. step towards representation and self-determination and crucial in inspiring activism also.
Louis R Bruce jr.- commissiner of BOFIA from 1969 onwards, NAs in FG.
Support of Nixon and Raegan- Indian Self-determination and Educational Assistance Act 1975- tribes gained more legal and political autonomy but still faced federal oversight (arguably helped by native activism not from sympathetic govt)
Could mention red power movement if needed.
General point to undermine: changing NA goals, did they all want citizenship? involvement in “western America”?
Culture
In the first half of the period, NAs remained defenceless against cultural assimilation until the 1960s were LBJ ended the policy of termination, which inspired NAs to strive for cultural independence.
Plains Wars- 1854 Grattan Massacre and Sand Creek Massacre 1864
1874 Grants veto of legislation to protect the buffalos.
1869 Boarding Schools- 1950s adoption policies.
Dawes Act 1887- assimilation.
Dance Orders (1920s)- made it illegal for NAs to practice rituals/festivals.
IRA 1934- turning point? some policies reserved BUT NAs continued to remain powerless against the continued policy of “americanisation” imposed upon them by the government
Termination 1953- consolidation of assimilation policies.
HOWEVER 1960S MARKED A TURNING POINT; SYMPATHETIC ORGANISATIONS OR THE ACTIONS OF RED POWER??
Native American Religious Freedom Act 1978-1996- time frame shows lack of enthusiasm, conflict.
More- culture undermined through the Antiquities Act 1906 and NAGPRA 1990, allowed for others to capitalise on their culture with artefacts being placed in museums- undermined culture but assimilation had longer lasting impacts.
Land
Plains Wars- Catalysed the diminishing of land, seen through the Battle of Little Bighorn 1876, despite an initial NA victory, treaty rights such as the Fort Laramie Treaty 1851 were undermined in 1887 Allotment Policy.
Most- Lone Wolf V Hitchcock 1903 and Sioux Nation v United States 1980, despite the Sioux receiving compensation this undermined their rights because they just wanted the land back. Showing a continuity of government opposition towards returning lands to tribes.
More- Termination 1953-69 and the IRA 1934
Forced urbanisation by placing them into cities, often resulting in ghettos and those who didn’t move faced worse conditions on the reservations, outlined in the 1928 Meriam Report.
White settlers began to buy a lot of remaining land which continued under termination.
