Indian Appropriations Act

The Indian Appropriations Act, first passed in 1851, was a U.S. law that aimed to regulate the relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes. It provided federal funds for the management and relocation of Native Americans onto reservations, often without their consent. The act sought to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American culture, diminishing their rights and lands. Over time, it was modified and expanded, leading to significant impacts on Native communities, including loss of autonomy and culture, as well as shifts in land ownership and governance.