The Indian Problem
What term did Easterners use to describe the issue of how to deal with Native Americans in the West?
What is the Indian Problem?
What was the main purpose of treaties made with Native Americans?
To move tribes off their land peacefully (in theory).
What 1876 battle was one of the most famous Native American victories?
What is The Battle of Little Bighorn?
What did the U.S. government promise to provide on reservations? Name one.
What are food, supplies, and protection?
What reformers argued that Native Americans should be educated and “civilized”?
Who are assimilationists?
What did many white settlers believe should happen to Native Americans to “solve” the problem?
They should be moved onto reservations or assimilated.
Why were many treaties unfair or ineffective?
They were often broken or misunderstood by the U.S. government.
Who led the Native American forces at Little Bighorn? Hint: Two NAs, named Sitting ______ and_______ Horse.
Who are Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse?
Why were living conditions on reservations so poor? Name one.
What are corruption, poor land quality, and broken promises.
What government act was intended to help Native Americans become farmers but instead caused land loss?
What is The Dawes Act?
What does “assimilation” mean in this context?
Forcing Native Americans to adopt white culture and customs.
Which act divided tribal lands into individual family plots?
What is The Dawes Act (1887)?
Who led the U.S. cavalry at Little Bighorn and was defeated?
Who is General George Custer?
What was often used as a tool of control over reservation populations?
What is food rations?
How did Native Americans resist U.S. government control after the wars ended?
Through spiritual movements and preserving their culture.
Why did the U.S. government want Native Americans on reservations?
To free up land for white settlers and railroads.
What was one result of the Dawes Act for Native Americans?
They lost millions of acres of tribal land.
What 1890 massacre marked the tragic end of the Indian Wars?
What is The Wounded Knee Massacre?
How were Native Americans’ traditional ways of life affected by reservations?
They lost their freedom to hunt, move, and follow their traditions.
What did many reformers believe would help Native Americans survive? Hint: Think White Man's Burden?
Adopting white customs and Christianity.
What was one way the government tried to enforce assimilation through education?
By sending Native American children to boarding schools.
What did Native Americans lose when their land was divided? Name one.
Communal ownership, cultural unity, and economic stability.
What was the Ghost Dance movement meant to do?
Restore Native lands and culture, and drive away white settlers.
What happened to many Native American children on reservations?
They were sent to boarding schools to be “Americanized.”
How did these “reform” efforts actually harm Native culture? Name one.
They destroyed traditions, languages, and family structures.