Native Americans - New Deal

Question 1

What was the Indian New Deal / Wheeler-Howard Act / Indian Reorganisation Act?

Answer 1

A federal law that attempted to reverse the policy of assimilation enforced against Natives by giving them greater autonomy and control over their lives

Question 2

Why did the Native American New Deal fail?

Answer 2

-It continued assimilation
-Benefits were short-lived
-Forced Natives to vote separately by secret ballot rather than discussing as a council
-Insufficient funds to buy back stolen land
-Limited by financial demands of WW2
-Unpopular with tribes

Question 3

How much land did the Indian New Deal return?

Answer 3

Only 2 million acres compared to the 90 million stolen

Question 4

How many tribes rejected the Indian New Deal?

Answer 4

75 out of 245

Question 5

What did the Indian New Deal aim to do?

Answer 5

-Improve life on reservations
-Returned 2 million acres (despite stealing 90)
-Closed boarding schools due to Meriam Report
-Ends of ban religious freedom

Question 6

How was increased attention brought to Native American issues?

Answer 6

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was reformed and it played a central role in advocating for policies that supported Native independence

Question 7

What were the issues of the Bureau of Indian Affairs?

Answer 7

-Misappropriated funds for NA communities
-Poorly executed programs