key term - Reservation era

Definition

The reservation era refers to a period in U.S. history, primarily during the 19th century, when the federal government established designated areas for Native American tribes to live on as a means of controlling their movements and reducing conflicts with settlers. This system not only stripped tribes of their ancestral lands but also significantly affected their cultural practices, economic systems, and social structures, leading to long-lasting impacts on Native communities and influencing contemporary art forms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The reservation era began with policies like the Indian Removal Act and involved the establishment of reservations as a way to confine Native Americans to specific areas.
2. Many tribes were coerced into signing treaties that ceded vast amounts of their traditional lands in exchange for small reservations, which were often less desirable or sustainable.
3. This era saw significant disruptions to traditional lifestyles, as Native communities were forced to adapt to new economic systems that often did not align with their historical practices.
4. The impacts of the reservation system are still felt today, with many tribes continuing to struggle with issues related to land rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation.
5. Contemporary Native American art often reflects themes related to identity, resilience, and the historical trauma caused by policies from the reservation era.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of reservations impact the traditional lifestyles of Native American tribes?
  • The establishment of reservations drastically altered the traditional lifestyles of Native American tribes by confining them to specific areas and limiting their access to natural resources. Many tribes had to abandon traditional hunting, fishing, and farming practices that were integral to their cultures. This confinement led to significant economic challenges as tribes struggled to adapt to a sedentary lifestyle that was often imposed on them without regard for their historical ways of life.
• Analyze how policies during the reservation era contributed to the long-term socio-economic challenges faced by Native communities today.
  • Policies during the reservation era disrupted traditional economies and imposed new economic structures that were often incompatible with Native ways of life. The loss of land and autonomy not only resulted in immediate economic hardships but also created systemic inequalities that have persisted over generations. Today, many Native communities continue to grapple with poverty, limited access to education, and health disparities as a direct consequence of these historical policies.
• Evaluate the influence of reservation-era experiences on contemporary Native American art forms and expressions.
  • Contemporary Native American art is heavily influenced by experiences from the reservation era, as artists often use their work to reflect on themes of identity, resilience, and cultural survival. The trauma caused by forced relocation and cultural assimilation is expressed through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, and performance art. By incorporating traditional motifs alongside modern techniques, artists challenge stereotypes and reclaim narratives about their communities, ensuring that their histories are acknowledged while also fostering cultural revival.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act:

A federal law enacted in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their homelands in the southeastern U.S. to designated territories west of the Mississippi River.

Tribal Sovereignty: The inherent authority of indigenous tribes to govern themselves within the borders of the United States, including the ability to create laws and regulations independent of state and federal governments.

Cultural Assimilation:

The process by which a minority group, often forcibly, adopts the customs, values, and social norms of a dominant culture, often leading to the erosion of their original cultural identity.