Surplus Lands

Definition

Surplus lands refer to parcels of land that are deemed excess or unnecessary for the purposes of a specific government program or jurisdiction, often following the allotment of land to Indigenous peoples under treaties. This term is crucial in understanding how land was taken from Native American tribes, particularly after the implementation of policies like the Dawes Act, which aimed to assimilate Indigenous peoples into Euro-American society by allotting them individual plots while leaving surplus lands open for settlement and sale.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The concept of surplus lands emerged from policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans, particularly during the late 19th century.
2. Following the Dawes Act, millions of acres of land were declared surplus and opened up for settlement by non-Indigenous individuals and businesses.
3. Surplus lands played a significant role in the loss of tribal sovereignty and cultural identity as Indigenous peoples were forced onto smaller, often less fertile parcels.
4. The sale and distribution of surplus lands often resulted in significant economic disadvantages for Indigenous communities, contributing to systemic poverty.
5. The legacy of surplus lands continues to affect contemporary Indigenous land rights movements as tribes seek to reclaim lost territories.

Review Questions

• How did the policy of surplus lands impact Indigenous communities during the late 19th century?
  • The policy of surplus lands had devastating effects on Indigenous communities, as it facilitated the loss of millions of acres of their ancestral territories. Under acts like the Dawes Act, land that was once held communally was divided into individual allotments, leaving significant portions classified as surplus. This not only resulted in loss of land but also contributed to social disintegration, economic challenges, and cultural erosion among Native populations.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of surplus lands on Indigenous sovereignty and identity.
  • The long-term consequences of surplus lands have been profound for Indigenous sovereignty and identity. The allotment system undermined traditional governance structures and disrupted communal living practices. As tribes lost control over their ancestral lands, their cultural identities were weakened, leading to a generational gap in cultural transmission. Today, many Indigenous communities are working to reclaim their rights and rebuild their cultural heritage in response to these historical injustices.
• Assess how modern movements for Indigenous land rights address the historical injustices related to surplus lands.
  • Modern movements for Indigenous land rights actively address historical injustices stemming from surplus lands by advocating for legal recognition and restoration of lost territories. Activists highlight how policies that led to the appropriation of surplus lands have lasting impacts on community health, culture, and economic viability. These movements often seek to implement land trust strategies and engage in legal battles to reclaim ownership over ancestral lands, emphasizing the importance of land as central to Indigenous identity and community well-being.

Related terms

Dawes Act:

A U.S. law passed in 1887 that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land, while the remaining 'surplus' lands were sold to non-Indigenous settlers.

Allotment: The process of dividing communal tribal lands into individual parcels assigned to Native Americans, often leading to loss of tribal land and culture.

Land Trust: A legal entity created to hold and manage land for the benefit of a particular group, often used by Indigenous peoples to regain control over their ancestral lands.