Native Americans Civil Rights Review
1865-1914:
Reservation Policy – began in 1850s, prevented NA from moving freely, allowed gov. to enforce laws
Manifest Destiny – gov. wanted to assimilate NA, believed NA land belonged to whites
Battle of Little Bighorn –1876, Custer vs. NA tribes, tribes won
Dawes Act/Allotment Policy – 1887, broke up reservations, granted land to NA
Massacre at Wounded Knee – 1890, prevented NA cultural/religious dances
Lone Wolf v Hitchcock – 1903, revoked all treaties made with NA
Society of American Indians – 1911, 50 NA campaigned for better education, healthcare etc (failed by 1920s due
to lack of money)
1914-1945:
Indian Citizenship Act – 1924, gave all NA the vote BUT many didn’t want it
The Meriam Report – 1928, condemned the Dawes Act, highlighted poor conditions of NA
John Collier – wanted to help NA, improve their conditions, wrote the Meriam Report
Wheeler Howard Act/Indian Reorganisation Act – 1934, aimed to preserve traditional NA culture
National Congress of American Indians – 1944, represented 50 tribes, aimed to unite NA
1945-1969:
Indian Claims Commission – 1946-78, reclaim NA land, BUT money not land, SLOW process
Termination Policy – 1953, NA no longer wards of the state, no gov. help
National Indian Youth Council – 1961, pride among young Indian people
AIM – 1968, improvement/militant/attacked discrimination against NA youth
Alcatraz Siege – 1969, 14 NA occupied Alcatraz, once belonged to them, wanted it back
Johnson’s ‘Forgotten Americans’ speech – wanted to help NA, recognise poor conditions
1969-1992:
President Nixon – passed the 1975 education act, NA commissioner for NA affairs
Indian Education Act – 1975, gave a more ‘Western’ education for young NA
Lost land returned to Makah, Taos, Pueblo & Yakama tribes – via ‘Forgotten Americans’ speech
Fish-ins – 1970, protestors breaking ‘unjust’ laws
NA focus on literature/culture – 1960s/70s, NA renaissance
Occupation of Mount Rushmore – 1971, wanted the land to be returned
Bureau of Indian Affairs Siege – 1972, protest, wanted NA treaty rights/living standards recognised
Occupation at Wounded Knee – 1973, they owned the land, wanted it returned to them
Oneida v Oneida and Madison Counties – 1974, return of NA lands
President Ford – supported positive change for NA
Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act – 1975, federally recognised NA tribes
President Carter – passed the American Indians Religious Freedom Act
Native American Religious Freedom Act – Carter, 1978, legalised NA ceremonies etc
Fisher v Montana – 1976, adoption of NA
Indian Child Welfare Act – 1978, prevent break-up of NA families
President Reagan – didn’t support NA, withdrew fed. assistance for NA, no longer ‘wards of state’
Sioux v United States – 1980, wanted compensation for US gov. taking Sioux lands
Seminole Tribe v Butterworth – 1981, right to create gambling enterprises on land
Charrier v Bell – 1986, remains from burial grounds would belong to NA
1865-1914:
Reservation Policy – began in 1850s, prevented NA from moving freely, allowed gov. to enforce laws
Manifest Destiny – gov. wanted to assimilate NA, believed NA land belonged to whites
Battle of Little Bighorn –1876, Custer vs. NA tribes, tribes won
Dawes Act/Allotment Policy – 1887, broke up reservations, granted land to NA
Massacre at Wounded Knee – 1890, prevented NA cultural/religious dances
Lone Wolf v Hitchcock – 1903, revoked all treaties made with NA
Society of American Indians – 1911, 50 NA campaigned for better education, healthcare etc (failed by 1920s due
to lack of money)
1914-1945:
Indian Citizenship Act – 1924, gave all NA the vote BUT many didn’t want it
The Meriam Report – 1928, condemned the Dawes Act, highlighted poor conditions of NA
John Collier – wanted to help NA, improve their conditions, wrote the Meriam Report
Wheeler Howard Act/Indian Reorganisation Act – 1934, aimed to preserve traditional NA culture
National Congress of American Indians – 1944, represented 50 tribes, aimed to unite NA
1945-1969:
Indian Claims Commission – 1946-78, reclaim NA land, BUT money not land, SLOW process
Termination Policy – 1953, NA no longer wards of the state, no gov. help
National Indian Youth Council – 1961, pride among young Indian people
AIM – 1968, improvement/militant/attacked discrimination against NA youth
Alcatraz Siege – 1969, 14 NA occupied Alcatraz, once belonged to them, wanted it back
Johnson’s ‘Forgotten Americans’ speech – wanted to help NA, recognise poor conditions
1969-1992:
President Nixon – passed the 1975 education act, NA commissioner for NA affairs
Indian Education Act – 1975, gave a more ‘Western’ education for young NA
Lost land returned to Makah, Taos, Pueblo & Yakama tribes – via ‘Forgotten Americans’ speech
Fish-ins – 1970, protestors breaking ‘unjust’ laws
NA focus on literature/culture – 1960s/70s, NA renaissance
Occupation of Mount Rushmore – 1971, wanted the land to be returned
Bureau of Indian Affairs Siege – 1972, protest, wanted NA treaty rights/living standards recognised
Occupation at Wounded Knee – 1973, they owned the land, wanted it returned to them
Oneida v Oneida and Madison Counties – 1974, return of NA lands
President Ford – supported positive change for NA
Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act – 1975, federally recognised NA tribes
President Carter – passed the American Indians Religious Freedom Act
Native American Religious Freedom Act – Carter, 1978, legalised NA ceremonies etc
Fisher v Montana – 1976, adoption of NA
Indian Child Welfare Act – 1978, prevent break-up of NA families
President Reagan – didn’t support NA, withdrew fed. assistance for NA, no longer ‘wards of state’
Sioux v United States – 1980, wanted compensation for US gov. taking Sioux lands
Seminole Tribe v Butterworth – 1981, right to create gambling enterprises on land
Charrier v Bell – 1986, remains from burial grounds would belong to NA
