🌽native american studies review

key term - Reservation era

Definition

The reservation era refers to the period in American history, primarily during the 19th century, when the U.S. government established designated areas of land for Native American tribes, known as reservations. This era marked a significant shift in federal Indian policy as it aimed to confine tribes to specific territories while promoting assimilation and undermining their sovereignty, culture, and traditional ways of life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The reservation era began in the 1850s and continued into the early 20th century, characterized by treaties that often disregarded tribal sovereignty.
  2. During this era, many tribes faced forced removals from their ancestral lands and were often coerced into signing treaties under duress.
  3. The federal government aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by promoting farming and individual land ownership, which contradicted traditional communal practices.
  4. Reservations were often established on lands that were less desirable for farming or resource extraction, further marginalizing Native American communities.
  5. The impacts of the reservation era are still felt today, as many tribes continue to struggle with issues related to sovereignty, poverty, and cultural preservation.

Review Questions

  • How did the establishment of reservations during the reservation era affect Native American tribes' sovereignty and cultural practices?
    • The establishment of reservations significantly undermined the sovereignty of Native American tribes by confining them to specific areas, limiting their mobility and autonomy. This confinement disrupted traditional cultural practices, as many tribes relied on a nomadic lifestyle or had spiritual ties to broader landscapes. As a result, the reservation system imposed new restrictions that often conflicted with Native customs and ways of life, leading to a loss of cultural identity.
  • Discuss the implications of the Dawes Act in relation to the goals of the reservation era and its impact on Native American land ownership.
    • The Dawes Act directly reflected the goals of the reservation era by promoting assimilation through individual land allotments while undermining tribal communal land ownership. By allotting individual plots, the U.S. government aimed to encourage Native Americans to adopt Western agricultural practices. However, this policy resulted in significant loss of tribal land, as surplus lands were sold off to non-Natives. The act exemplified how federal policies intended to integrate Native Americans into American society often led to detrimental consequences for their communities.
  • Evaluate how federal Indian policy evolved from the reservation era into modern times and what ongoing challenges Native American tribes face as a result.
    • Federal Indian policy has evolved significantly since the reservation era, shifting from outright removal and forced assimilation towards a focus on tribal sovereignty and self-determination. However, ongoing challenges persist due to historical trauma, economic disadvantage, and legal complexities surrounding tribal governance. Many tribes continue to advocate for their rights and seek recognition as sovereign nations while grappling with issues such as poverty, education access, and cultural preservation. The legacy of the reservation era continues to influence contemporary relationships between Native tribes and the U.S. government.

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