Native American Cultures and Post-Civil War Policies

Flashcards focusing on key vocabulary and concepts related to Native American cultures and U.S. policies post-Civil War.

Dawes Act

A policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting land to individual families in exchange for land ownership.

Buffalo Slaughter

The mass killing of buffalo by settlers which greatly impacted Native American cultures relying on buffalo for sustenance.

Navajo Long Walk

The forced removal of the Navajo people from their homeland to less hospitable areas, significantly altering their way of life.

Custer's Last Stand

An infamous battle where General Custer and his men were defeated by Native American forces, illustrating the challenges faced by Native Americans.

Forced Assimilation

The U.S. government's approach to Native Americans that aimed to eradicate tribal identities and integrate them into mainstream American culture.

Plains Indians

A group of Native Americans who relied heavily on the buffalo for their economic and cultural practices.

White Man's Wars

A term referring to the conflicts instigated by settlers and the U.S. government against Native Americans.

Permanent Settlements

Areas where some Native American tribes established long-term habitation and agricultural practices.

Trail of Tears

A forced relocation of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands, resulting in significant suffering and death, particularly associated with the Cherokee.

Cultural Diversity of Native Americans

The wide range of linguistic, religious, and economic practices among different Native American tribes.