The Impact of Western Migration and Conflicts on American Indian Tribes

Broken Treaties and Agreements Treaties between American Indian tribes and the U.S. government that were supposed to last forever are broken as a result of Western expansion and discovery of gold. New treaties forced American Indians to give up territory and resettle in “designated” Indian areas (reservations). Promises of compensation often went unfulfilled. Reservations were promised as permanent homes for American Indians, but tribes were sometimes moved or forced to given up part of the land.

Dawe’s Act ( ) Encouraged the break-up of tribes and reservations. Gave land and offers of citizenship to families who assimilated (became like white settlers) The Act did not work as planned. –Families did not sign on to the plan or assimilate –Some American Indians sold their land for little money –Remaining reservation land was given to whites

Reduced Hunting Grounds and Natural Resources Buffalo herds were hunted to near extinction by the white men. The buffalo had been key to American Indian survival. After the Dawes Act and westward expansion, whites settled on former Indian lands (by both political and physical force).

Increased Dependence Increased dependence on the Federal Government’s Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribes relied on U.S. Government for food and money Indian Affairs Agents were often corrupt Goods, food, and money were often not delivered or were of poor quality

Assimilation and “Americanization” U.S. Government attempted to: –Change Native culture through religious missions –Change economy and lifestyle of Native people’s through reservations and farming instead of hunting and nomadic lifestyle –Took Native children from homes and sent them to boarding schools –Imposed Western style goods and practices