Native Americans in Oregon 1800 - 1900 - Research Paper Example

Native Americans in Oregon (1800-1900) The Native Americans in Oregon are an integral part in the understanding of the history and social culture of the United States. During earlier years, the Native Americans lived peacefully without any disruption or discourse. They consisted of nine tribes namely; Alsea, Bannock, Miluk, Modoc, Cayuse, Calapooya, Kuitsh, Talkulma and Tillamook. However, changes began in the late 19th c which witnessed bloody rebellions and battles: The Native Americans were compelled to protect their lands following legislations enacted by the government of the day in the United States that they be removed from those lands.

Such rebellions led to loss of lives. This state of affairs also culminated into strikes like the ‘Trail of tears’. The results of these were poverty, outbreak of disease and loss of cultures. Following these unwelcoming events, a number of human rights campaigners and leaders such as Chiefs emerged to take up an important role of fighting for the rights of the Native Americans (Moton, pp.473). In 1860, there was a Civil war among self governing civilized tribes inside their territories .

This was between those who were not sure who to support and who not to support. Others went to the North and others to the South. During such period, Red Cloud emerged as a Sioux Chief who was directly linked with the plain Native Americans transitions. He was a ferocious combat commander and a political leader, who was brave and fought without fear. He was born of white parents, but raised in the Native lands. He was determined to serve the Native Americans inhabitants homeland from invasion of white people.

During this period he led the Native American warfare against the establishment of the Bozeman Trail (Douglas, pp.45). During his leadership, he led the Native Americans in offering resistance against the United States government. He was unwilling to allow the people to suffer from being pushed out of their lands. Under his leadership there were a series of attacks along forts trails, and this effort was one of the most successful offensives that were carried out in Native Nature. He led in the designing of a draft of Fort Lwamia treaty of 1868 that led to the possession of western half of South Dakota.

He also opposed the movement of gold seekers and settles to the Black Hills. More so, he led a number of peaceful meetings and negotiations. In the beginning of 1870 an Okmulgan council was formed which was a federated structure to welcome and incorporate Native American protection and elevation from the plains. The main contribution that Red Cloud made was to empower and direct or transfer the Native Americas tribes from a free warrior’s nomad to subjugated individuals (Ferrin, pp.140). In conclusion, the activities of Red Cloud and other chiefs between 1887and 1900 led to a number of acts being formed.

This was a positive contribution to the Native Americans tribes of Oregon. Such acts include the general allotment act and Curtis act. The general allotment act gave each individual 160 hectares of land similar to Europeans or Whites lands; this gave them claim of ownership on the lands. The Curtis act did force allotment and decision of Native property that was terminated by the government and the Native schools were turned into public schools systems. Between 1800 and 1900 more clear deliberations were made and the Native Americans tribes were declared citizens of United States and were given Oklahoma as their territory.

Works citedJamie Morton. Collections: the Oregon Historical society, treasures of Oregon, Oregon Historical quarterly, 1998, Vol.199, No. 4, pp.473-493.Jesse Douglas. Origins of the population of Oregon in 1850, The pacific Northwest Quarterly, 1950, Vol. 41, No.2, pp.95-108. Ferrin, Derick. Native tribes in Oregon, Chi Chester: England, Wiley publishers.2005.pp.12-150.