Indian Removal Act
What years was the Indian Removal Act proposed?
1830
How was movement restricted in reservations?
They were not allowed to leave without permission.
How much Native land was reduced during the Dawes Act?
From 138 million acres to 48 million acres.
What was the main "goal" of boarding schools?
To train Indian kids to be white and fit into society.
Why is there a significant portion of black Seminoles?
They are escaped/freed slaves that have been incorporated into Seminole culture.
Where were Native Americans supposed to be relocated to?
How were roles/jobs switched for almost all Native people on reservations?
They were all forced into farming. All men became farmers. All women pushed into domestic roles.
What was the main "point" of the Dawes Act?
To privatize land ownership and divide Native communal ownership. To make them more "white".
Name the original Indian School?
Carlisle Indian School of Pennsylvania
What does assimilation mean?
To integrate people into the dominant culture - practices, clothes, food, religion, practice, etc.
What were the two main motivations for wanting Cherokee land?
Fertile soil for farming
Discovery of gold
Why was the destruction of the American bison an issue for Native people?
It was a way of life for many tribes. Provided food, clothing, medicine, blankets, homes.
What was the main difference between land ownership in the Dawes Act and the Reservation System?
Dawes Act = individual family plots
Reservation = communally owned by the tribe
What sort of things were boys taught at boarding schools?
Farming, baking, tool repair, milking cows, carpentry, blacksmithing.
What was the $500,000 supposed to cover within the Indian Removal Act?
How were missionaries involved in fighting back against the Indian Removal Act? Why were they able to do more than Native peoples?
They were able sue the U.S. Government because they were white and U.S. citizens, so they sued on behalf of the Cherokee people.
Why was farming considered difficult for most Native tribes?
They were relocated to harsh environments and many had little to no experience farming. They also were forced to purchase seed and equipment from the U.S. government - inferior supplies.
How did the Dawes Act help reinforce and strength patriarchal rule into tribal life?
How long were Native students "enrolled" at boarding schools?
Until they were "civilized" - could be years or decades...
Why were the Cherokee considered one of the "civilized tribes"?
They wore white people's clothes, spoke English, went to schools modeled off white schools, had developed a written language, had a written Constitution in English, most could read and write, had developed economic interests like farming and manufacturing.
How did Andrew Jackson create a Constitution Crisis with his actions surrounding the Indian Removal Act?
He ignored the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Native Americans and removed all Native people, blatantly ignoring the power of the judicial branch.
Why was it hard for tribes to maintain traditions and cultural practices on reservations?
They had been removed from their ancestral lands which they had deep spiritual connections to. With that change, they also lost access to traditional supplies - medicine, food, sacred places.
What were the proposed terms of the Dawes Act for Native people?
How were Indian children controlled at boarding schools? What steps were taken?
Taken from family and moved 100s, or 1000s, of miles away from home. Cut off communication with families. Physically punished for using their native language or religion. Taught to spy on each other and report on each other's behavior.
Explain the phrase - "Kill the Indian, save the man". Where do we see this attitude in action?
It means to eliminate all traces of language, culture, religion from Native people and make them "white". This was pushed by the Dawes Act - splitting up communal ownership, from the reservation system - separating them from their land and practices and make them dependent on the government, and by boarding schools - forcing them from their homes and "re-educating" Native children.