Native American Events
End of the Civil War (1865) – Expansion westward accelerates, increasing conflicts with
Plains tribes.
Sand Creek Massacre (1864, widely remembered post-1865) – U.S. troops killed over
150 Cheyenne and Arapaho, mostly women and children.
Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) – Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho forces defeat
General Custer’s army.
Nez Perce War (1877) – Chief Joseph leads tribe in attempted flight to Canada; forced
onto reservation.
Dawes Act implementation (1887) – Begins allotment of tribal lands into private
property, breaking up communal land.
Wounded Knee Massacre (1890) – U.S. Army kills hundreds of Lakota in South Dakota,
marking the end of major armed resistance.
Indian Citizenship Act (1924) – Grants U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the
U.S.
Indian Reorganization Act (1934) – Tribes regain some self-governance and stop further
allotment of lands.
Indian claims and activism (1940s–1950s) – Formation of organizations like the National
Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1944 to fight termination policies.
Termination policy era (1950s) – Federal government ends recognition of many tribes,
withdrawing support and aiming to assimilate Native Americans.
Relocation programs (1950s–1960s) – Encouraged Native Americans to move to cities
for work, often disrupting culture and communities.
Red Power movement (1960s–1970s) – Native American activism for sovereignty, civil
rights, and treaty enforcement.
Occupation of Alcatraz (1969–1971) – Activists occupy the island to draw attention to
broken treaties and federal neglect.
Wounded Knee Occupation (1973) – Members of the American Indian Movement
occupy Wounded Knee, South Dakota, demanding treaty rights and justice.
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (1975) – Tribes begin managing
their own federal programs.
End of the Civil War (1865) – Expansion westward accelerates, increasing conflicts with
Plains tribes.
Sand Creek Massacre (1864, widely remembered post-1865) – U.S. troops killed over
150 Cheyenne and Arapaho, mostly women and children.
Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) – Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho forces defeat
General Custer’s army.
Nez Perce War (1877) – Chief Joseph leads tribe in attempted flight to Canada; forced
onto reservation.
Dawes Act implementation (1887) – Begins allotment of tribal lands into private
property, breaking up communal land.
Wounded Knee Massacre (1890) – U.S. Army kills hundreds of Lakota in South Dakota,
marking the end of major armed resistance.
Indian Citizenship Act (1924) – Grants U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the
U.S.
Indian Reorganization Act (1934) – Tribes regain some self-governance and stop further
allotment of lands.
Indian claims and activism (1940s–1950s) – Formation of organizations like the National
Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1944 to fight termination policies.
Termination policy era (1950s) – Federal government ends recognition of many tribes,
withdrawing support and aiming to assimilate Native Americans.
Relocation programs (1950s–1960s) – Encouraged Native Americans to move to cities
for work, often disrupting culture and communities.
Red Power movement (1960s–1970s) – Native American activism for sovereignty, civil
rights, and treaty enforcement.
Occupation of Alcatraz (1969–1971) – Activists occupy the island to draw attention to
broken treaties and federal neglect.
Wounded Knee Occupation (1973) – Members of the American Indian Movement
occupy Wounded Knee, South Dakota, demanding treaty rights and justice.
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (1975) – Tribes begin managing
their own federal programs.
