1. Native Americans in the USA, 1776-1960
Subtitle

2. Declaration of Independence, 1776
Final Complaint listed against the British King in the Declaration of Independence:
“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”
accessed March 20, 2018

3. 19th Century Manifest Destiny Dawes Act
Railroads and expansion cause conflict with tribes as the USA moves westward
Sand Creek Massacre, Battle of Little Big Horn
Indian Removal Act of 1830
Treaties…so many treaties
Dawes Act
Forcing assimilation to U.S. culture

4.
Administrations varied in their treatment of “the Indian Problem” throughout the first half of the 20th century
Native Americans were granted citizenship in 1924 through the Indian Citizenship Act
1931 Vermont Sterilization Law and the Abenakis
FDR Administration – “A friend to the Indian”
John Collier appointed commissioner of Indian Affairs
Indian Reorganization Act
Bureau of Indian Affairs employees more Indians

5. 1945-1960 75,000 Native Americans serve in WWII
Navajo Code Talkers,
Returned from the war much more aware of their rights
Truman continues the sympathy…sort of
Indian Claims Commission redistributes $400 million between 1946 & 1968 for unjust land loss
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Dillon Myer NOT helpful
Eisenhower Administration
Congress wants to take away self-government of reservations and give that jurisdiction to the states
Reservations terminated for white economic development

6. Comparing Court Cases
Below is a link to a webpage that lists U.S. Supreme Court Cases involving Native Americans.
Choose a case from before 1945 and a case after 1945 to research.
Were the issues facing Native Americans before 1945 the same as after 1945? Why or why not?
Based on the outcomes of the cases, had the Native Americans achieved more equality after 1945?