Treaties and Treaty Making in American Indian History: A Comprehensive Examination

The history of treaties and treaty making in American Indian history is a complex and often contentious subject. Treaties between the United States government and Native American nations have played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the two parties. However, the history of treaty making is also marked by misunderstandings, broken promises, and violations, leading to ongoing debates about their validity and enforceability.

Early Treaties and the Establishment of Sovereignty

The first treaties between the United States and Native American nations were negotiated in the late 18th century, following the American Revolution. These treaties recognized the sovereignty of Native American nations and established boundaries for their territories. However, the United States government often sought to expand its power and control over Indian lands, leading to a series of conflicts and wars.

Pen and Ink Witchcraft: Treaties and Treaty Making in American Indian History

by Colin G. Calloway

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5372 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages
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Treaty of Greenville (1795)

One of the most significant early treaties was the Treaty of Greenville, signed in 1795 between the United States and the Western Confederacy of Native American nations. This treaty established the Ohio River as the boundary between the United States and Indian lands, and it guaranteed the sovereignty of the Native American nations within their territories.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

In the 1830s, the United States government passed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the forced removal of Native American nations from their ancestral lands in the East to reservations in the West. This policy was implemented through a series of treaties, including the Treaty of New Echota (1835),which forced the Cherokee Nation to cede their lands in Georgia.

Treaties and the Doctrine of Discovery

The Doctrine of Discovery, a legal principle developed by European powers, was used to justify the colonization of the Americas and the acquisition of Native American lands. This doctrine held that European nations had the right to claim and possess lands that were not already occupied by Christian nations.

Johnson v. M'Intosh (1823)

In the landmark Supreme Court case Johnson v. M'Intosh (1823),the court ruled that the United States government had the exclusive right to acquire lands from Native American nations. This decision reinforced the Doctrine of Discovery and limited the sovereignty of Native American nations.

Broken Promises and Treaty Violations

Throughout American history, there have been numerous instances of broken promises and treaty violations by the United States government. These violations have led to the loss of Native American lands, the disruption of their cultures, and the erosion of their sovereignty.

Black Hills Treaty (1868)

The Black Hills Treaty of 1868 guaranteed the Sioux Nation ownership of the Black Hills region. However, gold was discovered in the Black Hills in the 1870s, and the United States government seized the land in violation of the treaty.

Fort Laramie Treaty (1868)

The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 established the Great Sioux Reservation in present-day South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. However, the treaty was violated in the 1870s when the United States government opened the reservation to white settlers.

Modern Treaty Making and the Recognition of Native American Rights

In recent decades, there has been a growing movement to recognize the rights of Native American nations and to uphold the treaties that were signed between the United States and these nations. This movement has led to the negotiation of new treaties and the reaffirmation of existing treaties.

Indian Child Welfare Act (1978)

The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 was passed in response to the high rate of Native American children being removed from their homes and placed in non-Native foster care. This act gives tribes the authority to regulate the foster care and adoption of Native American children.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990)

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 requires federal agencies and museums to return human remains, funerary objects, and cultural items to Native American tribes.

The history of treaties and treaty making in American Indian history is a complex and multifaceted one. Treaties have played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the United States government and Native American nations. However, the history of treaty making is also marked by broken promises and treaty violations. In recent decades, there has been a growing movement to recognize the rights of Native American nations and to uphold the treaties that were signed between the United States and these nations.

For further exploration of this topic, I highly recommend reading the following book:

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of treaty making in American Indian history, from the early treaties of the 18th century to the modern era. Prucha examines the legal, political, and cultural factors that have shaped treaty making, and he provides a detailed analysis of the major treaties that have been signed between the United States and Native American nations.

Pen and Ink Witchcraft: Treaties and Treaty Making in American Indian History

by Colin G. Calloway

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5372 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE