Legislation


 * **Articles of Confederation (1777)** - First written government of the Constitution. It had major weaknesses to it and it gave a strong state government and a weak central government.

Native American Policy:

 * **Jefferson's Offer (1801)-** Jefferson offfered the Native Americans to either convert to white traditions or move farther west. They had to assimilate like white farmers.
 * **Indian Removal Act (1838)-** Andrew Jackson decided to revoke the lands of the Native Americans and move them farther West. They were moved to present-day Oaklahoma. These Natives were forced to walk thousands of miles on tough terrain. Many died before arrival. The Longest trail was the Trail of Tears. Old, young, tired, and crippled were all forced to walk. Some of the major areas where the Natives were settling before the act were: Florida (Seminoles), Georgia (Cherokees), etc.
 * **The Dawes Severalty Act (1887**)- This act was established to eliminate more of the Native American tribal land. To make Native Americans more like White Americans. They believed in helping the race, by ruining their Native American root of the tribe, culture and tradition. Hunters were forc ﻿ ed to become farmers. They got land for each family member. Catholic Missionaries were set up to provide schools. Kids were forcebly taken to boarding schools.
 * **Burke Act of 1906:** Congress passed this act to give faster distribution to the white lands in the south. These white lands were never really passed. The transition of these lands to individual owners was resisted, and in the end they gave up the effort.
 * **From then on no real Indian Acts were set up to "compromise between" Indians and White encroachments. In the end after major battles between the two sides, they were left alone in their dying years.**