American History 1865 to Present. Native Americans Essay

American History 1865 to Present. Native Americans - Essay Example However in the later years, i.e. during the end of the nineteenth century several attempts were made by the U.S. government to compensate the natives for their loss by way of reformative laws which included abolishment of the restrictive policies and introduction of measures to assimilate them within the mainstream American society. Thus, while a significant duration of the nineteenth century was plagued with wars and hostility among the two groups, the early and mid twentieth century in contrast paved way towards a more inclusive form of governance which aimed at rehabilitation and reformation of the Native Americans. 1866: The Powder River Indian Expedition The Powder River Indian Expedition refers to a full scale offensive launched by the American Army against a group of Native Americans namely the Sioux, Cheynne, and the Arapaho Indians, during the gold rush (Clodfelter, 1998). The Native Indians were pushed back from their newly assigned territories by a group of explorers and g old hunters and were left with no other alternative but to fight back in a bid to defend their territories. Comprised of a group of volunteers the Native Indians waged sporadic war against the raiding army of white Americans by mostly attacking isolated farms and eventually, transportation routes. As a result the white population living in and around Denver, fearing attacks from the Native Indians, pleaded protection from the governor which led to dispatch of the First and Third Colorado Cavalry to the Indian reservation in Sand Creek (Hampton, 1964). The massacre at Sand Creek by the Army and brutalities unleashed by the Cavalry regiments who raided and... American History 1865 to Present. Native Americans It depicts the series of events which led them to flee their land restricting them to reservations with limited access to or authority for self-governance. The history of Native Americans during the course of the nineteenth century highlights the manner in which the tribe was forced to move westwards through military might; a succession of failed treaties and laws and regulations governing crucial elements of their lives including the right to education, practicing religion, and other cultural observances. As the U.S. geared for its aggressive expansion policy, the native tribes were pushed further away losing not only their land status and identity as a whole. This study traces the history of the Native Americans through six key events between the period 1865 to present beginning from the Powder River Expedition in the year 1865 to the Termination of the Reservations and its consequences and implications on the Native Americans in present day America. It also includes a comprehensiv e discussion on the various laws, treaties, and policies implemented from time to time including the Dawes Act and the Indian New Deal during the mid nineteenth century to the various federal congressional laws introduced over the years with a view to assimilate the tribe into the mainstream society. The history of Native Americans is indicative of the various struggles, fears, endurance, and hopes experienced by various tribes during their encounter with the white Americans.