Native Americans: Loss of Land, Sovereignty, and the Fight for Rights AP Government Timeline
1600s–1700s: Early European Settlement European settlers exploited Native Americans and attempted
enslavement, especially in southern colonies.
Post-American Revolution: The U.S. government negotiated treaties with tribes treated as sovereign
nations, yet denied Native Americans citizenship.
Early 1800s: Westward expansion led to widespread treaty violations and lack of federal enforcement.
1830: Indian Removal Act Congress authorized forced relocation west of the Mississippi River.
1831–1832: Cherokee Supreme Court Cases Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worcester v. Georgia
limited state power but lacked enforcement.
1831–1838: Trail of Tears Forced relocation of southern tribes resulted in massive death and suffering.
Late 1800s: Reservation System Native Americans confined to poor lands, dependent on the Bureau of
Indian Affairs.
1887: Dawes Act Reservation lands divided into individual allotments; surplus sold to white settlers.
1898: Curtis Act Abolished tribal governments and sovereignty.
1924: Indian Citizenship Act Granted citizenship but not guaranteed voting rights.
1934: Indian Reorganization Act Restored tribal self-government and ended allotments.
1969–1971: Alcatraz Occupation Pan-Indian protest raised national awareness.
1973: Wounded Knee Occupation AIM protest led to violent confrontation with federal authorities.
1975: Indian Self-Determination Act Returned control of programs to tribes.
2018–2019: Carpenter v. Murphy Supreme Court case addressing reservation jurisdiction in Oklahoma.