Reservation Era Begins 1850-1878

1851

Roads and railroads move into the West

Ledger drawing of two trains. Image: David Pendleton Oakerhater; Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Ledger drawing of two trains. Image: David Pendleton Oakerhater; Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

The U.S. government surveys lands for roads and railroad development across tribal territories. With the railroad, access to tribal territories by foreigners increases encroachment and violation of treaty rights on Native lands (Native Voices, "1851: Roads and railroads move into the West").

Settler Colonial Policy