What were the policies of the federal government towards Native Americans? Flashcards
What were the Manifest Destiny themes? (3)
-the special virtues of the American people and their institutions
-the mission of the United States to redeem and remake the west in the image of agrarian America (turn everything into farmland to support the growing population)
-an irresistible destiny to accomplish this essential duty
What was the Federal Government’s 3 main policies? When?
-Reservation policy 1871-1887
-Allotment policy 1887-1934
-Termination policy 1953-1969
Why was the Reservation Policy adopted?
-due to belief in Manifest Destiny and need to settle land in US
How did the Reservation Policy affect the theme of Land? (3)
-land can be taken from NA without negotiation
-believed white landowners had greater rights to land over NA
-Reservation land was reduced significantly
How did the Reservation Policy affect the theme of Self determination? (2)
-NA became wards (dependents) of the state
-NA ownership of reservation land removed
How did the Reservation Policy affect the theme of Culture and Religion? (2)
-curtailed (reduced) nomadic lifestyle
-forced education for
Assimilation and tribal customs removed
Why was the Allotment Policy adopted?
-adopted due to American politicians realising that the unrest (Battle of Little Bighorn) was the result of the reservation policy and how it had failed
How did the Allotment Policy affect the theme of Land? (3)
-NAs were given land and after 25 years could own it->they didn’t want this
-reservation lands were divided up into homesteads, or allotments to prevent unrest or communication between tribes
-breaking up of tribal bonds and land
How did the Allotment Policy affect the theme of Self determination? (4)
-’Nobody took much notice of what the Indians really wanted’
-clear indication that the government either did not understand the wishes of the Native Americans or did not want to understand them
-for those who adopt the policy they become ‘American’ and fully assimilated which meant they lost their self determination
-self determination eroded
How did the Allotment Policy affect the theme of Culture and Religion? (2)
-the act continued to ignore the tribal nature of NAs life and continued the policy of trying to destroy it
-land meant to be farmed so tribal cultures eg dances were removed
Why was the Termination Policy adopted?
-had been a change in government policy towards the Native Americans during Roosevelt’s presidency and his introduction of the New Deal but the change was short lived
How did the Termination Policy affect the theme of Land? (2)
-many of the Native Americans lived were wanted by mining and forestry companies -> loss of lands
-reservation system ended
How did the Termination Policy affect the theme of Self Determination? (2)
-NA given the same rights as Americans citizens
-NA were to be encouraged to relocate by offering them accommodation and help in finding work
How did the Termination Policy affect the theme of Culture and Religion? (2)
-the policy ended the recognition of NA tribes and saw proposals put forward to end the reservation system
-further disintegration of what remained of tribal life
