Five Civilized Tribes Act

The Five Civilized Tribes Act was a 19th-century U.S. law aimed at managing relations between the federal government and five Native American tribes—Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. It sought to encourage these tribes to adopt Americanized ways of life, including organized governments, farming practices, and education, to facilitate assimilation and easier governance. While intended to improve conditions and establish formal relationships, it also led to increased federal oversight and the loss of tribal sovereignty over time.