THE MOVEMENT WEST Impact on Native Americans

FACTORS  Important factors included: greed for land desire for control of natural resources, the belief that Native Americans were uncivilized and therefore incompatible with the expanding white culture. The belief that U.S. expansion to the Pacific was an inevitable event, necessary and benevolent, came to be known as Manifest Destiny in the 19th century.

DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES  Hunting, gathering and fishing vs. Farming  Moving around (nomadic) vs. Staying in one place  Living communally vs. Living just with immediate family  View of the land, nature etc.

CHANGE IN POLICY  Initially, the U.S. adopted a policy of Coexistence with the Native Americans Attempt to live amongst one another peacefully Settled many treaties Government claimed that treaties benefited both parties, guaranteeing the Native Americans land and paying them fair amounts for what the government purchased At this point, they were negotiating with the tribes and preserving that sense of unity, leadership, and way of life.

CHANGE IN POLICY  By 1829, the policy changed to one of Removal and Reservations As settlers pushed West, the Indians were pushed onto reservations 1871: government decreed all Native American nations must relocate to one of two reservation areas (western half of South Dakota and Oklahoma) No longer treated each Native American nation separately; no more treaties to protect their land. Much of this land was fruitless and very different than where they had lived before, making it difficult for them to sustain their way of life.

CHANGE IN POLICY  Assimilation / “Americanization” Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 continued to break down Native American loyalty to their own nations Land given to individuals, not nations Each family allowed 160 acres Sent children to government boarding schools – white cultural traditions Most of their reservation land (80%) ended up being owned by white settlers

WRITING ASSIGNMENT  Using the information we’ve studied over the last few days, you are going to write a journal entry, a letter to a friend or a letter to the government. (Your choice!) Include information you have analyzed, read, watched or learned about. Include at least 3 examples  Native perspective  American Settler perspective