Reservation system establishment

Definition

The reservation system establishment refers to the creation of designated areas of land, known as reservations, where Native American tribes were forced to relocate and live, primarily as a result of U.S. government policies in the 19th century. This system aimed to control and assimilate Indigenous populations by confining them to specific territories, often on less desirable land, while facilitating the expansion of American settlers into the West.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The reservation system was formalized in the early 1850s as a response to increased westward expansion and conflicts between settlers and Native Americans.
2. Many reservations were established on lands that were not suitable for farming or traditional Native American lifestyles, leading to economic hardships.
3. The U.S. government frequently violated treaties with Native American tribes, resulting in further reductions in reservation sizes and increased pressure for assimilation.
4. The establishment of the reservation system also led to significant cultural changes among Native American communities as they were forced to adapt to new living conditions and government regulations.
5. By the late 19th century, policies like the Dawes Act aimed at breaking up reservations and promoting individual land ownership, further eroding tribal sovereignty.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of the reservation system impact the traditional lifestyles of Native American tribes?
  • The establishment of the reservation system drastically altered the traditional lifestyles of Native American tribes by confining them to specific areas of land that were often unsuitable for their customary practices. Tribes were forced to abandon their nomadic ways and adapt to farming or other forms of sedentary living imposed by U.S. government policies. This change not only disrupted their economic systems but also affected their cultural identities as they struggled to maintain their heritage in a confined space.
• Evaluate how treaties, such as the Treaty of Fort Laramie, were used to establish reservations and their effectiveness in protecting Native American rights.
  • Treaties like the Treaty of Fort Laramie were intended to establish clear boundaries for Native American lands and promote peace between tribes and settlers. However, these treaties often lacked effectiveness because they were frequently violated by the U.S. government, leading to further encroachments on Native American territories. As a result, while treaties were meant to protect Indigenous rights, they often served as tools for legitimizing land theft and facilitating westward expansion.
• Assess the long-term consequences of the reservation system establishment on Native American communities and their relations with the U.S. government.
  • The long-term consequences of the reservation system establishment have been profound for Native American communities, leading to significant loss of land, culture, and autonomy. Over time, this system contributed to systemic poverty and social issues within many reservations as tribes struggled with limited resources and economic opportunities. The ongoing relationship between Native Americans and the U.S. government has been marked by mistrust due to broken treaties and policies aimed at assimilation, influencing contemporary discussions around sovereignty, rights, and reparations.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands to designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Treaty of Fort Laramie: An 1851 treaty between the U.S. government and several Native American tribes that established boundaries for tribal lands and attempted to ensure peace between settlers and Indigenous peoples.

Dawes Act:

An 1887 law aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting individual plots of land to tribal members and reducing the overall size of reservations.