Termination era

Definition

The termination era refers to a period in U.S. policy, particularly from the 1940s to the 1960s, when the federal government aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by terminating the special legal status of tribes and ending the federal trust responsibility. This era was marked by efforts to dismantle tribal governments and allot tribal lands, leading to significant social, economic, and cultural disruption for Native American communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The termination era was largely influenced by a belief that Native Americans should integrate into mainstream society, which led to policies that stripped tribes of their autonomy.
2. As a result of termination policies, over 100 tribes lost their federal recognition, leading to loss of services and protections previously available through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
3. The policy aimed to eliminate federal oversight of tribal governments, which resulted in increased poverty and dislocation within many Native communities.
4. Termination led to significant urban migration, as many Native Americans left reservations in search of employment and better living conditions in cities.
5. The backlash against termination policies contributed to a revitalization of Native American activism and the eventual push for self-determination in later years.

Review Questions

• How did the termination era impact tribal governments and their ability to govern themselves?
  • The termination era significantly undermined tribal governments by ending their special legal status and federal recognition. This led to the dissolution of many tribal entities, stripping them of their ability to govern themselves effectively. Without federal support and recognition, tribes faced challenges in managing resources, maintaining cultural practices, and addressing community needs.
• What were some of the economic consequences faced by Native Americans during the termination era?
  • During the termination era, many Native Americans experienced economic hardship as policies forced them off their lands and dismantled traditional economic structures. The loss of tribal recognition meant that tribes could not access federal assistance programs or support for education, healthcare, and employment initiatives. This economic dislocation resulted in widespread poverty and contributed to social issues within Native communities.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the termination era on Native American identity and activism.
  • The termination era had profound long-term effects on Native American identity and activism. The policies enacted during this time led to significant cultural loss and disconnection from traditional ways of life, prompting a resurgence of cultural pride and political activism in subsequent decades. This period laid the groundwork for movements advocating for self-determination and sovereignty, culminating in legislative changes such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, which sought to restore autonomy to tribes.

Related terms

Indian Reorganization Act: A 1934 law aimed at reversing the assimilation policies of previous decades, promoting tribal self-governance and restoring some degree of land to tribes.

Allotment: The process of dividing communal tribal lands into individual parcels for Native American families, which often resulted in loss of land due to sales or taxation.

Trust Responsibility: The legal obligation of the federal government to protect tribal sovereignty and manage tribal resources for the benefit of Native American tribes.