Mrs. Ruland's U.S. History Class Project
~~~~Government Policies Regarding Native Americans~~~~ Progressive Era to 1920's
By:Becca, Chris, and Faith
From 1887 to 1920, the U.S. government established many policies regarding Native Americans. These policies were aimed to try and assimilate Native Americans into the traditional white American ways and to gain land for the white settlers and farmers that was once occupied by Native Americans. To assimilate the Native Americans into society, the United States government passed several policies that created Native American boarding schools which taught them to learn white traditions and beliefs, while completely ceasing their old ways of life. However, through lies and force, the U.S. was able to eventually get much of the Native American’s land and divide it up into private plots of 160 acres. Through legislation put in by the federal government, the reservations were shaped into similar society as the white societies. Eventually the Indian reservation became the state of Oklahoma in the United Sates. While some of these plots were given to the Native Americans, most of them were given to white settlers. After loosing their lands, most of the Native Americans ended up on tiny reservations or were forced to assimilate into American society.
American Policies Towards Native Americans
This web site includes significant United States policies regarding Native Americans from 1787 to the 1980s. Although the majority of this site includes legislation from 1887 to 1920, it includes various pieces of legislation before and after that time that affected the Native Americans.The majority of this site is exploring whether or not the takeover of Indian lands was justified. It begins with the Northwest Ordinance, which says the Indian land will not be taken and then goes into many policies taking and distributing the land.
This is an organized source that consists of a timeline of the policies regarding the Native Americans from 1786 to 1988 so it includes fairly recent policies. Most of the paper consists of a bibliography which can prove useful if you are in search of more sources.
Victoriana: Native Americans and the US Government
This web site gives an account of the relationship between Native Americans and the United States government between 1850 to 1900. It also includes the drastic changes in the way of life for the Native Americans after there land was taken. As well as the captivating photographs also give a visual account.
Learning from Past Mistakes: U.S. Government Policy Towards Native Americans
With the title, “Learning from Past Mistakes: U.S. Government Policy Towards Native Americans”, this article details Native American events and United States policies, stressing the improvement of policies.
The Learning Page: Government Policy Toward Native Americans
This is an excellent web site that provides several primary sources to help understand the effects of these policies. It also includes maps and documents regarding the Native American lands. Organized well and includes separate links.
Native American Lands Sold under the Dawes Act
Starting with the Dawes Act, this web site describes the various policies, and focuses on describing the impact of them on Native American lifestyles. Explored the assimilation of the Indian children. It goes into detail explaining what the Dawes Act covered. And it includes a vast section that looks at citizenship concerning the Native Americans. The picture below is of a graduating class of Indian students.
Native Americans
This site has a lot information on policies and on Native American life up to the late 1900s. Its main focus is on government acts. The policies are in chronological order and is very easy to follow. The majority of this page is on the Tribal Governments. It is organized very well and includes further research sources.
Historical Allotment Legislation
This web site includes descriptions of the various policies. It includes the General Allotment Act allowing the Native Americans. Another tab on the site includes court cases involving the Indian land.If you click on the “Historical Allotment Legislation Table” more detailed information is provided. It includes various acts regarding the Native Americans that were not significant enough to fit under a certain piece of legislation.
American Indian Policies
This web site provided information on United States policies regarding Native Americans, especially the principles that the policies were based on. Also included is information about specific people who were influential in the process. It mainly focuses on the early 1800s and includes the origin policies towards Native Americans.
World Book: American Indian
This article includes information on policies in the sections “The Destruction of Indian America” and “Indians in the early and mid-1900s”. This is part of a password protected database that most schools have access to. Ask your Media Specialist for assistance. This source also includes information starting in the 1400s if you are interested in the very beginning before the Europeans even arrived. World Book Online is also a great Reference center for further research.
Native Americans in the United States
This web site is not always the most reliable source of information, but this article does include excellent information regarding Native American traditions and the way their lives were affected by the policies. And you can use it as a source to reference to get ideas on what to look for.
Last updated March 28, 2008
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2010, All rights reserved
