Reservation system

Definition

The reservation system refers to a policy initiated in the United States during the 19th century that aimed to isolate Native American tribes onto designated parcels of land. This system was established as a means for the federal government to control and manage Native populations while also facilitating westward expansion. In the context of Plateau tribes, this meant that their traditional territories were significantly reduced, disrupting their way of life and forcing them into a new reality that often included poverty and dependence on government assistance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The reservation system was formalized with treaties signed in the mid-19th century, particularly affecting the Plateau tribes by restricting their mobility and access to traditional hunting and fishing grounds.
2. Many Plateau tribes were forced onto small reservations that were often located on less desirable land, impacting their traditional practices and resources.
3. The establishment of the reservation system led to conflicts between Native tribes and settlers as resources became scarce and tribal sovereignty was undermined.
4. Government policies under the reservation system often neglected the needs of Native Americans, leading to poor living conditions, health issues, and economic hardship.
5. Despite these challenges, many Plateau tribes adapted by forming new social structures and governance systems within the constraints of the reservation system.

Review Questions

• How did the reservation system specifically impact the way of life for Plateau tribes?
  • The reservation system drastically changed the way of life for Plateau tribes by confining them to designated areas that often lacked their traditional resources. These restrictions disrupted their hunting, fishing, and gathering practices that had sustained them for generations. Additionally, being forced into smaller spaces led to overcrowding and increased competition for limited resources, which significantly affected their social structures and economic stability.
• What role did treaties play in establishing the reservation system for Native American tribes, particularly those in the Plateau region?
  • Treaties were crucial in establishing the reservation system as they formalized agreements between the U.S. government and Plateau tribes. Through these treaties, tribes often ceded large portions of their ancestral lands in exchange for smaller reservations that were supposed to provide them with some degree of autonomy and support. However, many treaties were not honored by the government, leading to further loss of land and rights for these tribes.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the reservation system on Plateau tribes’ cultural identity and survival strategies.
  • The long-term effects of the reservation system on Plateau tribes have been profound, influencing both cultural identity and survival strategies. The confinement to reservations created challenges in maintaining traditional cultural practices as access to ancestral lands was restricted. However, many tribes have developed resilience by fostering a renewed sense of identity through cultural revitalization efforts, education programs, and community organization. This blending of traditional knowledge with contemporary strategies has allowed many Plateau tribes to navigate modern challenges while preserving their heritage.

Related terms

Plateau tribes: Indigenous peoples that traditionally inhabited the Plateau region of North America, which includes parts of present-day Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Canada, known for their fishing, hunting, and gathering lifestyles.

Treaties: Formal agreements between the U.S. government and Native American tribes that often resulted in the cession of tribal lands in exchange for reservations and certain rights.

Assimilation: A policy aimed at integrating Native Americans into mainstream American society, often through education and cultural change, which was frequently linked to the reservation system.