Native Americans Government during Gilded Age Flashcards
What acts were passed due to Manifest Destiny?
Presidents and members of Congress believed in Manifest Destiny and saw the West as a place of freedom. Congress passed the Homestead Act, alongside the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 which granted land to the rail companies, 1851-77 155 million acres granted. Assimilation would entail conversion to Christianity, education, and producing permanent land.
Why were reservations introduced?
In 1871 reservations were introduced to try and assimilate Native Americans as they threatened Manifest Destiny. Tribal life was also very different with self determination and tribal laws meaning Native Americans weren’t subject to full law of the country. Native Americans were nomadic and had a communal lifestyle, alongside tribal ceremonies where hallucinatory drugs were used, making people see them as savages. People wanted assimilation.
Why were Native Americans often denied aid?
Officials providing aid to Native Americans on reservations were often corrupt and would deny aid. In the 1880s the federal government had economic decline and cut meat subsidies to the Sioux putting their lives at risk.
What was the reservation policy? How did it deny Native Americans rights?
1871-87 reservation policy – putting Native Americans on reservations would end nomadic life and separate them from buffalo, making it easier to educate them and remove tribal customs. Native Americans made wards of the state, denied civil rights. Government could take land and didn’t negotiate with chiefs. Sioux resisted with Battle of Bighorn leading to further loss and land and introduction of allotments. Started in 50s but by 1871 no negotiation.
What was the allotment policy?
Allotment policy 1887-1934 – Brought about with Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 after Custer’s defeat which made American politicians rethink assimilation. Reservations divided into allotments. Hoped to improve living conditions and Native Americans who worked on land for 25 years gained full citizenship and rights but this wasn’t what they wanted and they were still subject to discrimination. Showed federal government didn’t care what Native Americans wanted.
How did Supreme Court deny Native Americans rights?
1913, decision made that Pueblo Indians must give up lots of their land as incapable of managing it, achieved by 1921.
State Supreme Courts in the West denied Native Americans rights to vote after the 1924 Act and states were able to uphold voting qualifications to exclude them.
What Supreme Court decisions championed rights?
1974 Oneida v Oneida and Madison Counties, New York, Oneida went to Supreme Court to due for return of lands. Supreme Court ruled in their favour leading to a rise in court cases.
1976 Fisher v Montana – Native American children forcibly removed from families for Americanisation. The Supreme Court ruled for tribal courts to decide on adoption, recognised tribal courts.
