Indian Appropriations Act 1871

Definition

The Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 was a U.S. federal law that aimed to regulate the relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes, marking a significant shift in policy by ending the recognition of tribes as sovereign nations. This act symbolized the broader movement towards assimilation and the dismantling of tribal autonomy as the frontier era was coming to an end, further embedding Native Americans within a framework that prioritized their integration into American society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 effectively nullified the previous status of tribes as independent nations by eliminating their ability to negotiate treaties with the federal government.
2. This act was part of a larger trend during the late 19th century, which sought to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American culture through policies that undermined tribal sovereignty.
3. By ending treaty negotiations, the act forced tribes into a more subordinate relationship with the U.S. government, reducing their legal protections and rights.
4. The funding appropriated through this act was meant to support various services for Native Americans but often fell short of addressing their needs, leading to further marginalization.
5. The 1871 act laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation focused on assimilation, including the Dawes Act, which sought to divide communal lands into individual allotments.

Review Questions

• How did the Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 change the relationship between Native American tribes and the U.S. government?
  • The Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 marked a critical shift in the relationship between Native American tribes and the U.S. government by ending the recognition of tribes as sovereign nations. This law eliminated their ability to negotiate treaties, placing them under federal authority and establishing a more paternalistic approach towards Native Americans. As a result, this act not only diminished tribal sovereignty but also set the stage for future assimilation policies that further eroded their cultural identities.
• Analyze how the Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 reflects broader trends in U.S. policy towards Native Americans during the late 19th century.
  • The Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 is a clear reflection of the broader trends in U.S. policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans during the late 19th century. By terminating treaty negotiations, this act reinforced a narrative that sought to integrate Native Americans into American society while disregarding their cultural identities and governance structures. This transition was part of a larger effort that included various laws and initiatives promoting assimilation, such as the Dawes Act, which further marginalized tribal communities and aimed at dismantling their traditional ways of life.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 on Native American sovereignty and identity.
  • The long-term implications of the Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 on Native American sovereignty and identity were profound and far-reaching. By undermining tribal sovereignty and legal standing, this act set a precedent for future policies that continued to chip away at Native American rights and self-determination. It contributed to a legacy of mistrust between Native communities and federal authorities, as well as ongoing challenges related to cultural preservation and identity. The erosion of treaty rights laid a foundation for modern-day legal battles over land, resources, and recognition, illustrating how past policies still resonate in contemporary struggles for justice among Indigenous peoples.

Related terms

Dawes Act: A law enacted in 1887 that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting individual plots of land to tribal members and selling off surplus land to non-Native settlers.

Reservation System: The policy of designating specific areas for Native American tribes, often resulting in the forced relocation of tribes from their ancestral lands.

Treaty System: A framework established by the U.S. government for negotiating agreements with Native American tribes, often leading to land cessions and changes in tribal sovereignty.