Native American Timeline

  • The Indian Removal Act

    The Indian Removal Act

    The U.S. government forcibly moved the Native Americans further west to make room for white settlers. The route they took later became known as the Trail of Tears.
  • Indian Appropriations Act

    Indian Appropriations Act

    Authorized establishment of reservations within Oklahoma. This also inspired the creation of reservations in other states. This was seen as useful to keep the Natives off of white settlers' land.
  • The Indian Reservation System

    The Indian Reservation System

    This system was created to keep Native Americans off of the land white settlers wanted to settle
  • Sioux Treaty

    Sioux Treaty

    Was a treaty to bring about peace between whites and the Sioux tribe that agreed to settle in the Black Hills reservation.
  • The Battle of the Little Bighorn

    The Battle of the Little Bighorn

    Gold was found in a Native territory, and white settlers and miners asked for protection against the Sioux, which erupted in many battles and a war.
  • Dawes Act

    Dawes Act

    Ended the reservation system; authorized federal confiscation and the redistribution of tribal lands
  • The Ghost Dance

    The Ghost Dance

    During a solar eclipse, a shaman of the Northern Paiute tribe claimed that God appeared to him as a Native American and revealed lands of love and peace to him. He ended up founding a spiritual movement called the Ghost Dance and prophesied the reunition of Indian tribes.
  • Wounded Knee Massacre

    Wounded Knee Massacre

    Soldiers of the US Army 7th Cavalry Regiment had slaughtered hundreds of the Sioux, that of which including women and children. This marked the end of Indian resistance to white settlers.
  • Indian Reorganization Act

    Indian Reorganization Act

    Franklin Roosevelt encouraged the passing of this act which authorized Natives to reorganize and form their own tribal governments.
  • Office of Indian Affairs

    Office of Indian Affairs

    Created to resolve land disputes between the Natives and white settlers. In 1832, The position of Commissioner was established by and act of Congress.