by Dorthy L. Mast

The Enactments

    The years of the enactments of the U. S. Congress slowly destroyed the way of life of the Native American Tribes as they knew it to be: first by the conquest of the territory, then unfulfilled treaties and finally by military force to reservations. To create a better understanding of how this became a reality, I have listed some of the following enactments:

• 1776 – The Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence.

• 1777 – The new government of the United States assumed authority over Indian affairs.

• 1787 – The U. S. Constitution is adopted and Congress assumes the power to regulate commerce (trade) with the Indian Tribes.

• 1824 – The Bureau of Indian affairs was created within the war department.

• 1826 – The American Fur Company began to monopolize the fur trade.

• 1830 – The Indian Removal Act authorized the removal of Indians to reservations.

• 1862 – The Homestead Act allowed settlers to claim a quarter section of land.

The Federal Government had established forts across America. These acts created many years of Indian Wars.

Sources – Columbian Guide to Indians of the Great Plains, and The Cheyenne by Mari Sandoz.