American Indian Culture and Research Journal

In analyzing White-Native American relations over the past two centuries, most historians recognize that the government implemented various methods to extinguish the Indians' title to the land. However, once the military actions against the tribes ended in the 1880s, many researchers conclude their study of American Indian policy and imply that the era of coerced land cessions stopped with the disappearance of the frontier. To them, assimilation characterized the period from the 1887 General Allotment Act to the 1930s "Indian New Deal" and the previous century's use of force led to acculturative goals. These are misleading conclusions. Assimilation was not representative of the entire period from 1887-1930, and force continued to play an important role in White-Indian relationships. Congress emphasized acculturation between 1887 and 1895, but, once the optimism that the Indians would quickly join White society faded, officials again turned to coercion to acquire the remaining tribal resources. As a result, from 1900-1925, the Indians lost control of much of their property and witnessed the near termination of their reservations. As in the past, promoting White progress at the expense of tribal lands became the primary thrust of American Indian policy.