Native American Rights

Columbus Discovers the Americas

Nov 21, 1492

This led the way to the Native Americans being subjagated by the Europeans which lasted centuries.

Native American Rights

Period: Nov 21, 1492 to Mar 21, 1990

Jamestown Established

May 14, 1607

Jamestown was established in Virginia and set a trend for European settlers coming over to America and permanently settle. This led to reoccuring interactions with the white settlers and Native Americans.

French and Indian War Begins

May 21, 1754

Some Native Americans joined forces and battles with Europeans such as the French. Yet in the end the British would have the main influence as the French (and Indians) lost the war and British (soon the Americans) had control over the land.

Proclamation of 1763

Mar 21, 1763

To prevent further conflict, the Proclamation of 1763 was passed so colonists would not go beyond the Appalachian Mountains to settle so they would not interact with Native Americans already living there.

United States of America founded

Jul 4, 1776

The United States gained independence and would now be in control of Native American rights.

Native Americans Not Counted

Mar 1, 1790

The census of 1790 of the U.S. counted African American slaves but not the Native American population.

Louisiana Purchase

Mar 21, 1803

The Louisiana Purchase takes a large portion of territory from the Native Americans and pushes them further West.

The Trail of Tears

Dec 21, 1838

The Trail of Tears led to many Cherokee deaths as the U.S. goverment was trying to remove Native Americans from their territories to move West so white settlers could have their land.

Indian Appropriations Act in 1851

Mar 21, 1851

Created reservations for Native Americans in the present-day Oklahoma area. They were strongly encouraged (sometimes forced) to move.

Navajo War Began

May 21, 1860

The Navajo tribe began fighting with white settlers for their land and rights (other tribes fought too during the 1860s through late nineteenth century such as the Sioux).

The Dawes Act

Jul 21, 1887

The Dawes Severalty Act was passed to encourage Native Americans to move from their land and break apart from their tribes and gain allotments of their own land (usually a corrupt system).

Native American Boarding Schools

Mar 21, 1890

Boarding schools came about for Native Americans started by Christian missionaries to "save the Indian" by forcing them to assimilate into American culture and reject their Native American culture and heritage.

Native Americans Gain U.S. Citizenship

Mar 21, 1924

The Indian Citizenship Act was passed and granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans while still being able to be affiliated with their tribe.

Gaining Right to Vote

Mar 21, 1950

In the 1950s some Native Americans gained the right to vote in some states and by 1965 the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was passed so Native Americans could vote everywhere.

Civil Rights Era

Mar 21, 1960

As the Civil Rights era began peaking in America in the 1960s, the Native Americans also became involved to fight for their rights.

Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA)

Mar 21, 1968

The IRCA passed laws that granted Native Americans many rights they had long been waiting for.

American Indian Movement (AIM)

Mar 21, 1968

Also founded in 1968, AIM was an organization to advocate people to get involved in the fight for rights of Native Americans

Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

Mar 21, 1970

NARF was organized in order to protect and make sure the new rights of Native Americans was maintained.

Modern Times

Mar 21, 2014

Native Americans have gained many rights from centuries before when they were taken away, but they are still fighting for complete equality and as a whole still continue to deal with problems such as poverty and education.