THE MOVEMENT WEST
Impact on Native Americans
FACTORS
Important factors included:
• greed for land
• desire for control of natural resources,
• the belief that Native Americans were uncivilized and
therefore incompatible with the expanding white
culture.
• The belief that U.S. expansion to the Pacific was an
inevitable event, necessary and benevolent, came to be
known as Manifest Destiny in the 19th century.
DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES
Hunting, gathering and fishing vs. Farming
Moving around (nomadic) vs. Staying in one place
Living communally vs. Living just with immediate
family
View of the land, nature etc.
CHANGE IN POLICY
 Initially, the U.S. adopted a policy of Coexistence with the Native
Americans
• Attempt to live amongst one another peacefully
• Settled many treaties
• Government claimed that treaties benefited both parties,
guaranteeing the Native Americans land and paying them fair
amounts for what the government purchased
• At this point, they were negotiating with the tribes and
preserving that sense of unity, leadership, and way of life.
CHANGE IN POLICY
 By 1829, the policy changed to one of Removal and Reservations
• As settlers pushed West, the Indians were pushed onto
reservations
• 1871: government decreed all Native American nations must
relocate to one of two reservation areas (western half of South
Dakota and Oklahoma)
• No longer treated each Native American nation separately; no
more treaties to protect their land.
• Much of this land was fruitless and very different than where
they had lived before, making it difficult for them to sustain their
way of life.
CHANGE IN POLICY
Assimilation / “Americanization”
• Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 continued to break down
Native American loyalty to their own nations
• Land given to individuals, not nations
• Each family allowed 160 acres
• Sent children to government boarding schools –
white cultural traditions
• Most of their reservation land (80%) ended up being
owned by white settlers
WRITING ASSIGNMENT
 Using the information we’ve studied over the last few days, you are
going to write a journal entry , a letter to a friend or a letter to the
government. (Your choice!) Include information you have analyzed,
read, watched or learned about. Include at least 3 examples
 Native perspective
 American Settler perspective