Oklahoma Academic Standard 4. The student will analyze the cycles of boom and bust of the 1920s and 1930s on the transformation of American government, the economy and society. 

Objective 4.1  Examine the economic, political, and social transformations between the World Wars. 

  C. Assess the impact of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 on the American Indian nations.

In a Nutshell

Students will explore the issue of citizenship for American Indians and understand that although the Constitution guarantees that everyone born in the United States is considered a citizen, the American Indian was an exception. Following citizenship in 1924, issues of tribal citizenship and sovereignty are still issues facing modern America.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Facilitate students to ask questions while engaging in collaborative discussions about political, economic and social conditions of American Indians in the 20th century.

• Assist students in analyzing possible consequences of government policies toward the American Indian.

•  Provide opportunities for students to evaluate the impact of the structure and powers exercised by local, state, tribal, and national institutions on public policy. 

• Trace the continuity of past events to the present to describe changing policies and practices related to tribal sovereignty.

• Analyze change over time by describing tribal relations to the federal government as they evolved during the 20th century.

•  Analyze the impact of constitutions, laws, treaties, and international agreements, including the concept of sovereignty, in order to maintain national order.

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• citizenship based on conditions of the Dawes Act 

• events leading to the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act

• dual citizenship of tribal members

• continued disenfranchisement of Indians by some state legislatures  

• Many students may not realize that Native Americans who accepted the Dawes Act were given citizenship prior to the1920s.

• Some students may not realize that state and federal government relationship to tribal governments continues to evolve and requires clarification into the contemporary era.

Instructional Resources