Reservation era

Definition

The reservation era refers to a period in U.S. history, primarily in the 19th century, when Native American tribes were forcibly relocated to designated areas known as reservations. This era was marked by significant loss of land, cultural disruption, and the imposition of federal control over tribal affairs. The impact of this period is reflected in various forms of artistic expression, such as painting and ledger art, which document the experiences and struggles of Native Americans during this tumultuous time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The reservation era began in the early 1800s and became prominent after the passage of policies that aimed to confine Native Americans to specific lands.
2. Native American tribes faced immense challenges during this era, including loss of traditional hunting grounds, forced removal from ancestral lands, and cultural disintegration.
3. Art forms like painting and ledger art emerged as vital means for Native Americans to express their identity, document their history, and cope with the trauma of displacement.
4. The federal government often used military force to enforce reservation boundaries, leading to violent conflicts between tribes and U.S. forces.
5. The legacy of the reservation era continues to influence contemporary Native American identity, culture, and art, with many artists drawing inspiration from this period.

Review Questions

• How did the reservation era impact Native American communities in terms of cultural expression?
  • The reservation era had a profound impact on Native American communities as it forced many to adapt to new social realities while grappling with loss and displacement. As a response to these challenges, forms of artistic expression like painting and ledger art flourished, allowing tribes to narrate their experiences and preserve their cultural heritage. These artworks became crucial for documenting history and expressing resilience in the face of adversity.
• Analyze the significance of the Dawes Act within the context of the reservation era and its effects on tribal sovereignty.
  • The Dawes Act played a pivotal role in dismantling tribal sovereignty during the reservation era by promoting individual land ownership among Native Americans. This act sought to assimilate Native Americans into Euro-American culture by breaking up communal lands and allotting individual parcels. As a result, vast amounts of tribal land were sold off to non-Natives, further eroding traditional practices and governance structures within tribes, which had lasting effects on their communities.
• Evaluate how ledger art serves as a historical record reflecting the experiences of Native Americans during the reservation era.
  • Ledger art serves as an invaluable historical record that captures the complexities of Native American life during the reservation era. Artists utilized this medium not just for personal expression but as a way to document significant events, cultural traditions, and interactions with colonizers. By analyzing these artworks, one can gain insights into how Native Americans interpreted their realities, adapted to changing circumstances, and preserved their identities amidst significant socio-political upheaval.

Related terms

Treaty of Fort Laramie:

An 1868 treaty that established the Great Sioux Reservation, recognizing the sovereignty of the Sioux Nation over their land in South Dakota.

Dawes Act:

An 1887 law aimed at assimilating Native Americans by allotting individual plots of land to tribal members and selling surplus land to non-Natives.

ledger art:

A form of narrative art created by Plains Indians using ledger paper, often depicting historical events and everyday life as a response to changing circumstances during the reservation era.