Historically, United States government policy toward Native American Indians has been most consistently..?

Question

Historically, United States government policy toward Native American Indians has been most consistently characterized by

a - efforts to give them responsibility for managing their own affairs

b - a desire to help them through protective legislation

c- refusal to grant United States citizenship to them

d - misunderstanding of their cultures and values

Answer 1

E lying to them to take there land.

Answer 2

During the early colonial period, European numbers were few and American Indians were still relatively powerful. Thus it was in the interest of the first settlers to treat Indians as soveriegn and equal nations. Later, the settler population (enhanced by technology only available to Indians hap-hazardly by second-hand means) increased, while Native populations (reduced by disease and loss of sustainable live-styles) decreased. And European settlers began to push Indian nations further west in the quest for more and more land. Indians during this time began to be regarded as barbarians and subhumans to justify the shabby manner in which they were being treated. Later still, after most tribes had been "pacified" (read: reduced in numbers, and beaten into submission), it became expedient to regard Indians from a paternalistic outlook. Indians were denied citizenship until 1924 because they were regarded as incompetent (as minor children) to testify under oath, vote responsibly, etc. Instead, Indians were herded onto reservations for their own protection and well-being. Never mind the fact that over 99% of their land was now open to settlement. Indian children were sent to boarding schools where their hair was cut, where they were beaten for speaking their own languages, and where they were required to wear uniforms and learn trades. They were told that their old ways of life were primitive, and their old religions were mere superstitions. A blood quantum standard was set up with the unstated (but real) intention of defining Indians out of existence as they began to intermarry with other peoples. This has been a quiet form of genocide. The US Government does not attempt to determine who is Jewish enough to be a Jew, or Arabic enough to be an Arab, or Asian enough to be Asian, or Hispanic enough to be Hispanic. But to this day, the US Government continues to do exactly that with regard to American Indians. By the way, the "benefits" that some Indian people receive are NOT welfare, but are regarded as payment in kind for the land transferred by the tribes to the US Government.

Answer 3

We've had three types of relationships with the Indians: treating them as foreign nations, the Reservation policy, and the Dawes Act. All three have incorporated answers a,b, and c. However, the most CONSISTENT answer is D.

Answer 4

Probably "d" is the answer they're looking for. The others are true at certain moments (well, except for b), but they're certainly not consistent.

I'd suggest, though, that "misunderstanding" is kind of a weak explanation for the relationship overall.

Answer 5

I have to say options C & D. Although the government is supposed to help them, they have done more to destroy their cultures, beliefs, values, and traditions.

Answer 6

d. misunderstanding of their cultures and values

Answer 7

All factors. Most of all,...."D." Thankyou, have a nice day.

Answer 8

misunderstanding of their cultures and values

Answer 9

e. marked by murder, deception, false promises and abuse.

Answer 10

C