House Concurrent Resolution 108

Definition

House Concurrent Resolution 108 was a legislative measure passed in 1953 that aimed to terminate the special relationship between the federal government and various Native American tribes, promoting their assimilation into mainstream American society. This resolution reflected a broader policy of termination that sought to eliminate tribal sovereignty and federal responsibilities, leading to significant changes in the lives of Southwestern tribes and prompting resistance and the eventual shift towards self-determination in federal Indian policy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. House Concurrent Resolution 108 marked a significant shift in federal policy by explicitly calling for the termination of federal recognition of certain tribes, particularly affecting Southwestern tribes.
2. The resolution aimed to dismantle reservations and encourage Native Americans to assimilate into non-tribal communities, which had profound social and economic consequences.
3. Many Native American leaders and activists opposed this resolution, arguing that it threatened their cultural identity and rights as sovereign nations.
4. The backlash against termination policies led to a re-evaluation of federal Indian policy, paving the way for the self-determination movement in the late 20th century.
5. House Concurrent Resolution 108 is often viewed as a pivotal moment that highlighted the complexities and conflicts surrounding Native American rights in the mid-20th century.

Review Questions

• How did House Concurrent Resolution 108 reflect the broader termination policies affecting Native American tribes?
  • House Concurrent Resolution 108 was a clear representation of the termination policies that aimed to dissolve the special relationship between Native American tribes and the federal government. By promoting the idea that tribes should be assimilated into mainstream society, this resolution directly challenged tribal sovereignty and autonomy. It indicated a government-wide push towards eliminating federal responsibilities toward Native Americans, particularly impacting those in Southwestern regions.
• What were the main forms of resistance from Native American tribes following House Concurrent Resolution 108, and how did this resistance shape future policies?
  • In response to House Concurrent Resolution 108, many Native American tribes engaged in various forms of resistance, including legal challenges, grassroots activism, and political organizing. Tribal leaders voiced concerns over loss of cultural identity and rights, which brought national attention to the adverse effects of termination. This resistance played a crucial role in shifting public opinion and laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation like the Indian Self-Determination Act, which emphasized tribal governance and self-control.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of House Concurrent Resolution 108 on Native American sovereignty and self-determination efforts in later decades.
  • House Concurrent Resolution 108 had lasting implications for Native American sovereignty by igniting a movement against federal policies that sought to assimilate tribes. The resistance it spurred contributed significantly to the emergence of self-determination as a guiding principle in federal Indian policy. This shift resulted in increased recognition of tribal rights and autonomy, as seen in subsequent laws like the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975, which enabled tribes to regain control over their governance and resources, reversing some effects of earlier termination policies.

Related terms

Termination Policy: A government policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream society by ending the federal government's recognition of tribal sovereignty and responsibility.

Indian Self-Determination Act: A 1975 law that allowed tribes to have more control over their own affairs and programs, reversing the earlier termination policies.

Tribal Sovereignty: The inherent authority of tribes to govern themselves within the borders of the United States, including making their own laws and decisions.