Overview

This week, we trace the development of federal Indian law and policy from the end of the first phase of Indian Removal through the end of the Civil War. We will explore how the intent of the Indian Removal policy (to separate Indians from non-Indians) was frustrated by U.S. expansion resulting from the annexation of Texas and Mexican cessions (including California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah) at the end of the Mexican War. The desire of U.S. citizens to access and occupy these lands led to the adoption of a new federal policy – the Reservation policy – that would have far-reaching effects. We will also examine the impact on federal-tribal relations of the participation in the Civil War of the Five Tribes on the side of the Confederacy.

Module Objectives

In this module, the activities, content, and assignments will guide your learning process to ensure you can:

Analyze and discuss major Indian policy initiatives during American Expansion and the Civil War.
Analyze major Supreme Court decisions involving the Cherokee Cases and the historical federal statute of the Reservation Policy including how it was implemented and interpreted.
Assess and contribute to discussions pertaining to the historical development of federal Indian law and policy in relation to the American Expansion and the Civil War including the impact on federal-tribal relations with the participation of the Five Tribes in the Civil War.

Module To-Do List

Here's everything you need to do and remember for this module:

Complete Readings & Watch Lectures
- Refer to Resources Page
Complete Discussion