Differences Between The Pre Civil War Period

456 Words2 Pages

The actions of the United States government toward Native tribes have changed drastically over the course of American history. The pre-Civil War (1776-1860) period was characterized by a policy of displacement, removal, and assimilation of Native tribes as the United States sought to expand its territories. After the Civil War (1864-1890), the government adopted a policy of reservation-based Native self-determination, which allowed Native tribes to retain their autonomy and cultural identity.
In the pre-Civil War period, the government’s treatment of Native tribes was largely based on the Doctrine of Discovery. This doctrine stated that the European settlers had the right to claim and settle on lands inhabited by Native tribes, and the tribes …show more content…

For example, both periods saw the government attempting to control Native tribes and their lands. In the pre-Civil War period, this was done through forced removal and assimilation. In the post-Civil War period, this was done through the establishment of reservations and the negotiation of treaties. Additionally, both periods saw the government attempting to gain control of valuable resources in Native lands. In the pre-Civil War period, this was done through the displacement of Native tribes. In the post-Civil War period, this was done through the negotiation of treaties that ceded Native lands to the United States in exchange for cash payments and other considerations. In conclusion, the actions of the United States government towards Native tribes have changed drastically from the pre-Civil War period to the post-Civil War period. In the pre-Civil War period, the government attempted to assimilate and remove Native tribes, whereas, in the post-Civil War period, the government adopted a policy of reservation-based self-determination. Despite these differences, there are still some similarities between these two periods, such as the government’s control of Native tribes and their