Treaties

Definition

Treaties are formal agreements between sovereign entities, often used to resolve conflicts, establish peace, or outline the terms of land ownership and governance. In the context of forced removal, treaties often involved coercive negotiations that led to the loss of indigenous lands and rights, reflecting the imbalances of power during the period of westward expansion in the United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Many treaties made with Native American tribes were not honored by the U.S. government, leading to widespread displacement and suffering.
2. The Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1851 was one such agreement that aimed to ensure peace between settlers and Native tribes but was frequently violated.
3. The negotiation process for treaties often involved manipulation and coercion, with indigenous leaders pressured into signing under duress.
4. The U.S. government used treaties as a means to legitimize land acquisition while simultaneously undermining indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
5. The aftermath of treaties often led to legal battles and claims for reparations as tribes sought to regain lost lands and rights.

Review Questions

• How did treaties function as tools of displacement during the period of forced removal?
  • Treaties were often used by the U.S. government as a means to justify the removal of Native American tribes from their lands. These agreements typically involved coercion, where tribal leaders faced immense pressure to sign away their ancestral territories in exchange for compensation or promises that were rarely fulfilled. The resulting treaties facilitated large-scale displacement, including events like the Trail of Tears, which exemplified how these documents could be manipulated to serve colonial interests.
• Analyze the implications of the Treaty of New Echota on the Cherokee Nation and its role in the Trail of Tears.
  • The Treaty of New Echota had profound implications for the Cherokee Nation, as it authorized their forced removal from their ancestral lands in Georgia. Signed by a minority faction within the tribe, this treaty did not represent the majority's wishes and led to significant internal conflict among the Cherokees. The U.S. government's enforcement of this treaty culminated in the tragic events of the Trail of Tears, where thousands of Cherokees were forcibly relocated under brutal conditions, resulting in great loss of life and culture.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of treaty violations on Native American communities and their relationship with the U.S. government.
  • The long-term effects of treaty violations have been deeply damaging for Native American communities, leading to generational trauma, loss of land, and cultural disintegration. These betrayals have fostered distrust toward the U.S. government, complicating relationships that should have been built on mutual respect and sovereignty. Over time, many tribes have sought to reclaim their rights through legal means, highlighting ongoing struggles for recognition and reparations while emphasizing a need for more equitable treatment based on historical agreements.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River.

Treaty of New Echota:

A controversial treaty signed in 1835 that ceded Cherokee land in exchange for compensation and promised relocation, which ultimately led to the forced removal known as the Trail of Tears.

Sovereignty:

The authority of a state or entity to govern itself and make its own laws without external interference; an important concept in discussions about treaties involving indigenous nations.