With the landing of Columbus in 1492, the lives of all Native Americans drastically transformed into a desperate struggle for survival and a bloody battle to restore their basic civil rights for the next five hundred years. These basic civil rights would not be recognized, in regards to the U.S. Constitution, until the late 1960s, 70s, and 80s, through the efforts of the American Indian Movement. This movement was birthed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1968. Members of this group were inspired by the great efforts of strong civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Cesar Chavez, and “Corky” Gonzales.
Prior to 1968, Native Americans successfully challenged the constitutionality of U.S. policy towards Native Americans wherein the United States Supreme Court and Congress made rulings and acts to protect their constitutional rights. For example, in 1934 Wheeler-Howard (Indian Reorganization) Act, permitted tribes to organize and write constitutions for self-government, and directed the government to consolidate and conserve Indian lands, and encouraged education and economic plans for Indians. Regardless, from 1949 to 1961, the Bureau of Indian Affairs relocated over 35,000 Native Americans from reservations into urban areas. The intention was to force Native Americans to assimilate into mainstream America. Thousands lost their property and had great difficulty adjusting to urban life. The policy ended in 1961 when the United States Commission on Civil Rights declared that most Indians were living in “poverty.” Never-the-less, the damage was done as Native Americans collectively saw no change in U.S. policy towards their ethnic group since the birth of the nation.
The 1960s was a pivotal decade not only for the United States, but also the world in relation to civil rights and the rise of nationalism. Working off the heels of Gandhi’s success in India’s independence from England in 1948, many third world countries followed suit to eradicate imperialism on a global scale. Here in the United States, the 1960s offered an atmosphere that fostered the demand for civil rights for African Americans, Hispanics, Cubans, women, and finally, the Native Americans. But just like a woman giving birth to a baby, civil rights was brought about through travail and pain, and in many cases, even death. This too was the case for the American Indian Movement.
Prior to 1968, Native Americans successfully challenged the constitutionality of U.S. policy towards Native Americans wherein the United States Supreme Court and Congress made rulings and acts to protect their constitutional rights. For example, in 1934 Wheeler-Howard (Indian Reorganization) Act, permitted tribes to organize and write constitutions for self-government, and directed the government to consolidate and conserve Indian lands, and encouraged education and economic plans for Indians. Regardless, from 1949 to 1961, the Bureau of Indian Affairs relocated over 35,000 Native Americans from reservations into urban areas. The intention was to force Native Americans to assimilate into mainstream America. Thousands lost their property and had great difficulty adjusting to urban life. The policy ended in 1961 when the United States Commission on Civil Rights declared that most Indians were living in “poverty.” Never-the-less, the damage was done as Native Americans collectively saw no change in U.S. policy towards their ethnic group since the birth of the nation.
The 1960s was a pivotal decade not only for the United States, but also the world in relation to civil rights and the rise of nationalism. Working off the heels of Gandhi’s success in India’s independence from England in 1948, many third world countries followed suit to eradicate imperialism on a global scale. Here in the United States, the 1960s offered an atmosphere that fostered the demand for civil rights for African Americans, Hispanics, Cubans, women, and finally, the Native Americans. But just like a woman giving birth to a baby, civil rights was brought about through travail and pain, and in many cases, even death. This too was the case for the American Indian Movement.
Native American Civil Rights Movement Time Line
the_native_american_civil_rights_movement.docx | |
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Prior to analyzing the primary sources, please review the following video clip to get a brief summary of the American Indian Movement:
Created by:
Melissa Beiter: [email protected]
Felicia Gates: [email protected]
Lisa Stevens: [email protected]
Melissa Beiter: [email protected]
Felicia Gates: [email protected]
Lisa Stevens: [email protected]