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Colonization and effect on Native Americans
As more European countries sent settlers to America the native tribes were used and abused by the settlers. Native Americans' land and goods were taken from them along with new diseases that killed many. Battles also took many lives of the local population and they had no rights. -
Declartion of Independence
The new nation faught the American Revaltionary war for independence from English rule. The declaration of independce was americas starting government guidelines and stated "all men are created equal and entitled to life, liberty and the persuit of happines". However this spoke only of white men and the native americans again were viewed lower than and teated as such. -
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Jefferson removes Native Americans
Cherokee and Shawnee tribes are physically removed from their lands that they were just recently given by the new American government. Native American reservations were land that was designated as their land and now they are being moved west of the Mississippi to take their lands for settlements to expand. -
Continental Congress makes its first treaty
The US government sat down with the Lenape Nation and formed a treaty which allowed them to be seen as a state. This allowed interactions to be more established and workable. -
American revolution ends
The war ends with a new nation born. However to the winner goes the spoils therefore the lands and treaties that were made with natives previously by other countries are not honored while expansion is continuing pushing more Natives from their homes. -
U.S. Constitution identifies Indian tribes as sovereign nations
The United States constitution gave congress the power to control trade between foreign nations but also native tribes. This allowed structured commerce however native americans still were viewed as less then and were treated as so in trade. -
Congress attempts aid
The Indian Trade and Intercourse Act is passed which allows federal rule over Indian land and trade. This sets laws for trade with native indians and white tradesmen. -
Supreme Court rules American Indians do not own land
The supreme court ruled that american lands were discovered by european countries therefore they were entitled to rule the territory and natives were just inhabitants but land owners. The Doctrine of Discovery stated that settlers were able to sieve their lands and then remove them. Again these people who have lived in the territories are being thrown away as trash with no regard. -
Sovereign Nation Era Ends
Through treaty nullification and the desire for new territories the relation with native people was weakened greatly. President Jefferson started removing natives from their lands as the nation grew. -
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Indian Removal Era Begins
The U.S. secures new lands by purchasing them or war and this leads to territories that were given to native americans in treaties. also the discovery of natural resources like gold add to this and a new push to remove natives from their lands spread. This created the Indian Removal Act and in the end created the Trail of Tears where 26,000 natives were removed from their lands killing thousands. -
Congress prohibits payment to tribes for thier lands
Any funds that would be paid for their lands were taken in treaties and put into the government's hands. The funds were put into trust and under federal control. This still remains true today. -
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Reservation Era Begins
As the United States finds Indian territories have resources and the natives displaced the concept of reservations are developed. This takes the local people and forces them to lands that are undesirable and leaves them with limited freedoms and no rights. This causes the native americans to be reliant on the government for food, water and healthcare while being excluded from the American economy and political system. -
U.S. Civil War Begins
As the nation was divided for multiple reasons but mainly slavery and the impact it had on the economy plus human rights, the Indian nations stood to arms in an attempt to unify them with the United states. Tribes fought with roughly 20,000 men for both the Union and Confederacy. Many believed their service would end discrimination but also return to the homeland. In the end African Americans received their freedom however native americans did not and their removal continued. -
Civil War ends
The end of the civil war leads to a change in the nation as slavery ends and congress passes the 13th amendment. However as much as this changes life for African Americans the native people still continue to experience the same treatment they were prior continued with no rights. -
Congress ends treaty-making with tribes
Congress stops the treaty making policy with native americans and no longer recognizes them as independent nations. The Indian Appropriation Act is created and they are seen as individuals who are wards of the government. -
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Native american pre-world war
Massacres continued for Native Americans as the nation found new resources on their lands. In 1934 congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act which stopped seizure of native lands and also started to build their lands self sufficient and productive. However Indian nations rights' were still limited leaving them without sufficient government support as other demographics received. -
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World War II draft
All native american men are made to register for the draft however many indian states do not have the right to vote. -
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Native tibe termination
Congress starts a 13 year period where native tribes are terminated which breaks up tribes and their lands. -
American Indian Movement (AIM) is founded
This movement originally started as a way to raise awareness of police brutality against native americans. This moved to more issues such as treaty rights, Indians in urban setting rights, and traditional rights that were abused by the government. -
Congress passes Indian Self-Determination act
This act put in place a legal framework for tribes to exercise their right to govern and protect tribal citizens, lands, and resources. Native Americans were on the uprising of establishing their place in America as citizens. -
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The purpose of this declaration held many of the same as the declaration of independence as it stated their intention to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions, and to continue to grow as they see true to native ideals. Also it stated that they would be active in their own economic and social evolution. In 2010 President Barack Obama vowed the nation's support of the indigenous peoples' rights.