Forced assimilation (1868–1887) Indian reservation

most indian reservations, laguna indian reservation in new mexico (pictured here in 1943), in western united states, in regions suitable more ranching farming.

in 1868, president ulysses s. grant pursued peace policy attempt avoid violence. policy included reorganization of indian service, goal of relocating various tribes ancestral homes parcels of lands established inhabitation. policy called replacement of government officials religious men, nominated churches, oversee indian agencies on reservations in order teach christianity native tribes. quakers active in policy on reservations.

the policy controversial start. reservations established executive order. in many cases, white settlers objected size of land parcels, subsequently reduced. report submitted congress in 1868 found widespread corruption among federal native american agencies , poor conditions among relocated tribes.

many tribes ignored relocation orders @ first , forced onto limited land parcels. enforcement of policy required united states army restrict movements of various tribes. pursuit of tribes in order force them onto reservations led number of native american massacres , wars. well-known conflict sioux war on northern great plains, between 1876 , 1881, included battle of little bighorn. other famous wars in regard included nez perce war.

by late 1870s, policy established president grant regarded failure, because had resulted in of bloodiest wars between native americans , united states. 1877, president rutherford b. hayes began phasing out policy, , 1882 religious organizations had relinquished authority federal indian agency.