Presidents and Native Americans Flashcards
(11 cards)
Grant 1896-1877
BAD
Promised to help NAs by treating them how they wanted.
BUT this didn’t last and he oversaw land taken for railroads and was an assimilationist
Cleveland 1885-89
BAD
Sought assimilation.
Passed Dawes Act
T. Roosevelt 1901-09
BAD
Took 86 million acres of NA land sacred to NAs for national forest. Yosemite and Yellowstone
Hoover 1929-33
TURNING POINT.
Allowed Meriam Report in 1928 that found major issues in health, living conditions, employment and general economic stability among NAs was huge.
Recommendations in the report spurred on legislation to improve NA condition.
Although not exactly due to Hoover it showed a recognition of presidents to the plight of NAs.
F.D.Roosevelt 1933-45
GOOD
1934 Indian Reorganisation Act, (Wheeler-Howard). Reversed assimilation, restored some tribal land and supported self governance.
But was unrealistic, assumed all NAs want tribal culture, only accepted by 174/252 tribes.
JFK 1961-63
GOOD
Provided funding for education, pledged to help NCAI. Set up a task force to investigate future Indian policy and programmes but assassinated before any real change.
Johnson 1963-69
GOOD
“The Forgotten Americans” speech to congress promoted Indian self-help and respect.
Proposed an ambitious program of education for children of all ages.
Nixon 1969-74
GOOD.
Ended termination. Acknowledged that previous assimilation policy was wrong.
Ford 1974-77
GOOD
Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 - tribes take responsibility for their education, health and social service with federal funding.
Indian Education Assistance Act 1975, greater involvement in educational processes.
Carter 1977-81
GOOD.
NA religious freedom act 1978, allowed traditional religion.
Indian Child Welfare Act 1978 stopped the forced removal of children from NAs.
Reagan 1981-89
GOOD/BAD
Native capitalism, relieved burden of federal and state expenditure by encouraging Native business.
BUT it was ‘Americanisation’ and wasn’t traditional way of life.
