Conclusion

Westward expansion for a long time had created conflict with the Native Americans and settlers. The settlers tried to resolve this by taking the Native Americans off reservations. After displacing the Native Americans the next phase included trying to absorb them into mainstream society through school. Settlers wanted to eliminate their incompatible lifestyle by forced integration. Similarly to how voting barriers were created against African Americans during the Reconstruction Era, now voting barriers are being created against Native Americans. During the Great Depression Native Americans gained more freedom and autonomy. Some of this was then taken away again during the Red Scare. The theme of “civilizing” native peoples and what is reveals about the U.S after 1877 is shown through these topics, eras, and timeframes.