Termination policy

Definition

The termination policy was a federal initiative introduced in the 1950s aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society by ending the special government-to-government relationship and disbanding reservations. This policy sought to eliminate tribal sovereignty and promote individual land ownership, which was believed to facilitate economic independence but ultimately led to significant social, economic, and cultural disruption for Native communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The termination policy was officially adopted in 1953 as part of a broader strategy to promote assimilation and reduce government spending on Native American programs.
2. It resulted in the termination of federal recognition of over 100 tribes, stripping them of their rights and access to services previously available to them as sovereign nations.
3. The policy aimed to convert communal tribal lands into individual allotments, leading to significant loss of land and resources for many Native communities.
4. The termination policy faced backlash and resistance from Native American leaders and activists, who highlighted its detrimental effects on tribal identity and culture.
5. By the late 1960s, the negative consequences of the termination policy led to a shift in federal policy towards self-determination for Native Americans, culminating in more supportive legislation.

Review Questions

• How did the termination policy reflect broader trends in U.S. government attitudes towards Native Americans during the 1950s?
  • The termination policy exemplified a significant shift in U.S. government attitudes, moving away from recognizing tribal sovereignty and towards promoting assimilation into mainstream society. This reflected a belief that Native Americans should abandon their cultural identities for economic independence. The idea was that individual land ownership would lead to prosperity; however, this approach disregarded the communal values and social structures inherent in many Native cultures.
• Evaluate the impact of the termination policy on tribal communities and their social structures during the mid-20th century.
  • The impact of the termination policy on tribal communities was profoundly negative, leading to dislocation and fragmentation of social structures. As tribes lost their federal recognition and rights, many individuals moved away from reservations, resulting in a breakdown of traditional community ties. The focus on individual land ownership disrupted communal living arrangements and cultural practices, causing lasting damage to tribal identities and ways of life.
• Assess the long-term implications of the termination policy on contemporary Native American issues and self-determination movements.
  • The long-term implications of the termination policy are still felt today, as many tribes continue to navigate the challenges of lost resources and disrupted identities. The backlash against termination sparked self-determination movements that have gained momentum since the late 1960s, pushing for greater tribal governance and rights recognition. This historical context informs contemporary struggles for sovereignty, economic development, and cultural revitalization among Native American communities.

Related terms

Indian Reorganization Act:

A 1934 law aimed at reversing the assimilation policies of the Dawes Act by restoring some degree of self-governance to tribes and allowing them to establish their own governments.

Urban relocation program: A program initiated in the 1950s that encouraged Native Americans to leave reservations and move to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities, often leading to isolation from their cultural roots.

Tribal sovereignty: The inherent authority of Indigenous tribes to govern themselves within the borders of the United States, which is often undermined by federal policies like termination.