Oklahoma Academic Standard 1. The student will analyze the transformation of the United States through its civil rights struggles, immigrant experiences, and settlement of the American West in the Post Reconstruction Era, 1865 to the 1920s. 

Objective 1.3  Analyze the impact of westward expansion and immigration on migration, settlement patterns in American society, economic growth, and American Indians.

  C. Examine the rationale behind federal policies toward American Indians including the establishment of reservations, attempts at assimilation, the end of the Indian Wars at Wounded Knee, and the impact of the Dawes Act on tribal sovereignty and land ownership.

  D. Compare viewpoints of American Indian resistance to United States Indian policies as evidenced by Red Cloud in his Cooper Union speech, Quanah Parker, and Chief Joseph as expressed in his I Will Fight No More Forever speech.

In a Nutshell

It is important for students to examine the impact of the Westward movement on the cultural, economic, and political environment of the West. Due to increased encroachment on indigenous homelands, American Indians were forcibly removed and expected to assimilate. By examining firsthand accounts of American Indian leaders, students will gain perspective and a deeper appreciation for the experiences of indigenous people seeking to retain their sovereignty and homeland. Understanding such experiences will help students understand issues of tribal sovereignty that continue to challenge tribal citizens today.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Facilitate research so that students may analyze the possible consequences, both intended and unintended, of the assimilation policy.   

• Provide opportunities for students to develop questions about multiple historical and/or contemporary sources to pursue further inquiry and investigate additional sources. 

• Assess individual and collective actions taken to address forced assimilation and resistance on the part of American Indians.  

• Assess the significance and impact of individuals and groups throughout local, national, tribal, and world history, tracing the continuity of past events to the present.  

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• Fort Laramie Treaty, Sand Creek Massacre, George Custer

• assimilation, missionary efforts, Indian boarding schools, intent versus reality of reservation system

• influence of Helen Hunt Jackson’s work, A Century of Dishonor

• Chief Satanta’s speech at the Medicine Lodge Creek Council

• tribal sovereignty, land ownership, impact of the Dawe's Act on communal lands and concept of tribal self-determination 

• Many students may have prior knowledge regarding issues of Indian sovereignty from coursework in state history, yet lack examination of issues on a national scale.

• One misconception is that all American Indians live on reservations; whereas, there is tremendous diversity among Indian tribes. Some students may not realize how stereotyping fosters bias and misunderstanding.  

• Some students might incorrectly assume that most modern-day American Indians are wealthy because of government payments or income from casinos, etc. While the government has provided financial restitution to tribes, not all American Indians are tribal members nor receive such benefits.

Instructional Resources