1865-1886 Politically (Early) (3)
- Reservation Policy did not fully assimilate Native Americans as it had hoped (NOT FARMERS)
- Native Americans had no political significance in US culture - separate group to be conquered
- Autonomy continued after Red Cloud’s War 1866 –> Fort Laramie Treaty
1865-1886 Land/Economically (Early) (4)
- Policy of reservations only decreased land size
- 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn - Native Americans land use the same as before, same monoculture economy
- Native Americans did not use capitalism - no concept of money
- Land ownership non-existent, spiritual lands
Dawes Act 1887 - Political Significance (4)
- Self Determination = GONE, given Citizenship
- Established NA’s as tax-paying citizens, no longer a separate group after 25 years
- Extended by Indian Citizenship Act (only 1% of pop, less significant)
- Still significant at end of period (Still had citizenship)
Dawes Act 1887 - Land/Economic Significance (3)
- Introduced allotments and land ownership to Native Americans
- Introduction of Capitalism into the allotments
- After this, they never regained their lost land (Indian Claims Commission failed)
1865-1886 Culturally (Early) (3)
- Increasing forced assimilation for Native Americans, e.g. Dawes Act undermined matriarchal society (160 acres male only)
- Attempts to de-tribalize and assimilate into ‘white America’, e.g. Reservations Policy banned polygamy.
- Assimilation was prevalent throughout the early period.
1886-1940 Politically (Mid) (3)
- Dawes Act was extended by Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
- Indian Reorganization Act 1934 brought back Tribal Council Power (Autonomy)
- Loss of autonomy from Dawes not brought back, Native Americans forced to assimilate to be heard by the US: NCAI 1944 were educated, assimilation in order to be heard.
1886-1940 Land/Economically (Mid) (4)
- Land lost after the Dawes Act was never reclaimed and only minor compensation
- NCAI Action –> Indian Claims Commission 1946 = Failed, little land returned
- Five Civilised Tribes 1903 Muskogee Convention FAILED –> Oklahoma established 1907.
- Native Americans still capitalist, no/little land returns.
1886-1940 Culturally (Mid) (3)
- Assimilation continued: Lone Wolf vs. Hitchcock 1903 ‘ignorant and dependent’
- Native American culture is still not respected
- Media portrayed Native Americans as savages until more awareness in the late 1960s ‘Wild West shows’.
1940-1992 Politically (Late) (3)
- Still no autonomy for Native Americans, have to be assimilated
- NCAI pursued voting rights with lawsuits -> more into US political system
- Native Americans less than 1% of population, no political significance
1940-1992 Land/Economically (Late) (3)
- Native Americans are still the poorest ethnic group in 1992 - Their position did not improve economically after Dawes.
- No improvement in the land after Dawes - 2/3 NA in urban areas
- Reagan’s’ native capitalism’, the continuation of Dawes.
1940-1992 Culturally (Late) (5)
- Termination Policy 1953 - Continued Assimilation
- Nixon ends the Termination Policy in 1969
- American Indian Policy Review 1975 - 5/11 Commissioners NA’s
- Religious Freedom Act 1978
- After the 1970s, no more forced assimilation for Native Americans - respect for their culture!
Presidents of the 1970s - Cultural Significance (4)
- Finally, respect for their culture!
- Juxtaposed to the paternalistic/assimilation-dominated direction of the last 105 years.
- Nixon giving Native Americans - 1972 Indian Education Act - RENEWAL OF CULTURE
- Supreme Court upheld Nixon’s progress in 1974.
Why is the Reservation Policy not most significant?
Political - Autonomy continued afterwards: Red Cloud’s War 1866
Land/Economically - Still no land ownership or capitalism: 1886 Bighorn
Cultural - Only assimilation, seen until 1970s: ‘ignorant and dependant race’
Why is the Dawes Act not the most significant?
Political: it is lol
Land/Economically: it is lol
Culturally: Was just continued assimilation - Reservation Policy banned polygamy, continued until end of Termination 1969.
Why is the Indian Citizenship Act 1924 not the most significant?
Political: Just an extension of the Dawes Act, NA already had citizenship. Continued assimilation, no self-determination.
Land/Economically: Did not change in terms of land, nothing gained/lost.
Culturally: Did not change in terms of culture, nothing gained/lost.
Why is the Indian Reorganisation Act 1934 not the most significant?
Politically: Many Native Americans were already assimilated from Dawes.
Land/Economically: Not much land return, only minor compensation.
Culturally: Collier was paternalistic, did not ask NA what they wanted.
Why is the Termination Policy 1953-69 not the most significant?
Political: Continued assimilation into US political system, autonomy already destroyed.
Land/Economically: Did not change in terms of land, nothing gained/lost.
Culturally: Was just continued assimilation of NA culture, Nixon ended in 1969.
Why is Alcatraz 1969-1971 not the most significant?
Political: Did not have much political significance, NA’s are still in US political system.
Land/Economically: Did not reclaim any land or money.
Culturally: Was reliant on the media for impact, culture wasn’t respected until NIXON LAW
Why are the Presidents of the 1970s, not the most significant?
Political: Did not improve NA political rights or autonomy
Land/Economics: Only awarded minor compensation, no land
Cultural: it is lol
