Life on Reservations Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Where were Indian reservations created?

on land that was least wanted by the whites because of its infertility

Who did the government appoint to look after reservations?

Indian agents

The Indian agents were often...

corrupt

What often went missing because of the Indian agents?

money and rations Signup and view all the answers

Rations were... and crops often...

poor and failed Signup and view all the answers

Diseases like... were....

measles and the flu were common Signup and view all the answers

Medical care was...

very poor Signup and view all the answers

Why did some Indians join the Indian agency police?

to get better food, clothing and shelter than on the reservation Signup and view all the answers

In 1871, chiefs no longer...

signed treaties Signup and view all the answers

In the early 1880s, chiefs no longer looked...

after reservations, councils did Signup and view all the answers

In 1883, Indians were judged...

and punished in special courts which were then abolished in 1885 and replaced by federal courts Signup and view all the answers

Indian children were taught...

white American values Signup and view all the answers

How were Indian children taught white American values?

They were sent to schools where they were punished for using their own languages and respecting their culture Signup and view all the answers

Indian beliefs...

were banned Signup and view all the answers

How did the government reduce the power of medicine men?

by putting an end to feasts, dances and ceremonies Signup and view all the answers

Who were sent in to civilize the Indians?

Christian missionaries Signup and view all the answers

Why were Christian missionaries sent to reservations?

to civilize the Indians Signup and view all the answers

Indians were not allowed to hunt.

True Signup and view all the answers

How did the banning of Indian hunting affect the social structure?

it removed men's traditional role and also affected clothing and lifestyle Signup and view all the answers

Indians were...

de-skilled Signup and view all the answers

What were Indians originally really good at?

excellent horsemen, hunters and warriors Signup and view all the answers

What did some Indians refuse to do?

learn white skills like ploughing, sowing and reaping Signup and view all the answers

Indians could not hunt buffalo or fight because...

there were no horses on reservations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Indian Reservations Overview

Indian reservations were established on land deemed undesirable by whites due to its lack of fertility.
The government appointed Indian agents to oversee the affairs on these reservations.

Indian Agents and Corruption

Indian agents were often corrupt, leading to significant mismanagement.
Money and rations intended for the Native American communities frequently went missing due to agent malpractice.

Living Conditions on Reservations

Rations provided to Native Americans were generally poor in quality.
Agricultural efforts often failed, resulting in insufficient food supplies.
Common diseases such as measles and influenza spread easily among the reservation populations.
Access to medical care was severely lacking and deemed very poor.

Changes in Governance and Authority

In 1871, Native American chiefs lost the ability to sign treaties with the government.
By the early 1880s, authority over reservations shifted from chiefs to councils.
Legal systems changed in 1883, with Indians judged in special courts until those courts were replaced by federal courts in 1885.

Education and Cultural Suppression

Native children were educated in white American values, which led to cultural assimilation.
Schools enforced punishments for speaking native languages and disrespected traditional cultural practices.
Indigenous beliefs and practices were actively banned by the authorities.
The government targeted traditional medicine men by prohibiting feasts, dances, and ceremonies.

Role of Missionaries

Christian missionaries were sent to reservations with the goal of civilizing Native Americans.
This mission was part of a broader effort to assimilate Native populations into European-American cultural norms.

Impact of Hunting Bans

Native Americans were prohibited from hunting, stripping away traditional roles, particularly for men.
The ban on hunting affected their clothing, lifestyle, and social structure by removing essential cultural practices.
This restriction led to a loss of skills among Native Americans, who were originally skilled horsemen, hunters, and warriors.

Resistance to Assimilation

Some Native Americans resisted learning European farming techniques and skills such as ploughing, sowing, and reaping.
The inability to hunt buffalo or engage in traditional fighting arose from the absence of horses, further contributing to the de-skilling of these communities.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the history of Indian reservations with this set of flashcards. Learn about the creation of reservations, the role of Indian agents, and the challenges faced by Native Americans. Perfect for students studying U.S. history or Native American studies.