Federal Policy

Definition

Federal policy refers to the principles and regulations set forth by the national government that guide its interactions with states, communities, and citizens. These policies can impact various areas including land use, economic development, and social issues, particularly in the context of marginalized groups. The implementation of federal policies often influences historical events, such as forced removals and the treatment of indigenous populations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The federal policy of Indian removal was rooted in the belief that American expansion was a divine right and necessity for progress.
2. The Trail of Tears was a direct result of federal policies that prioritized land acquisition over the rights and welfare of Native American tribes.
3. Federal policies often ignored treaties established with Native tribes, leading to conflicts and loss of trust between the government and Indigenous peoples.
4. The implementation of these policies involved significant military force to enforce removals, often resulting in widespread suffering and death among those displaced.
5. Federal policies have had long-lasting effects on Native American communities, contributing to ongoing issues related to sovereignty, land rights, and cultural preservation.

Review Questions

• How did federal policy contribute to the events surrounding the Trail of Tears?
  • Federal policy played a pivotal role in the Trail of Tears by facilitating the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was a key legislative measure that enabled this policy. The U.S. government's prioritization of land acquisition for white settlers led to the systematic displacement of tribes such as the Cherokee, resulting in suffering and significant loss during their forced journey westward.
• Evaluate the impact of treaty making as a federal policy on Native American tribes during the 19th century.
  • Treaty making as a federal policy had a profound and often detrimental impact on Native American tribes during the 19th century. Many treaties were negotiated under duress or through manipulation, leading to significant land cessions by tribes who were promised protection and support in return. However, these agreements were frequently violated by the federal government, resulting in further dispossession and undermining tribal sovereignty, thereby creating a legacy of distrust toward governmental promises.
• Analyze how assimilation policies reflected federal attitudes towards Native Americans and their cultural identities throughout history.
  • Assimilation policies reflected a pervasive federal attitude that viewed Native American cultures as inferior and in need of 'civilizing.' These policies aimed at eradicating Indigenous identities through education systems designed to enforce Western norms and values. The government's push for assimilation not only sought to integrate Native Americans into mainstream society but also disregarded their rich cultural heritage. This resulted in lasting damage to tribal communities, contributing to ongoing struggles for cultural preservation and identity within modern contexts.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act: A federal law enacted in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Treaty Making: The formal agreements made between the United States government and Native American tribes that often resulted in the cession of tribal lands in exchange for promises of protection or monetary compensation.

Assimilation Policy: A set of federal strategies aimed at integrating Native Americans into American society, often through cultural erasure and the promotion of Western education and values.