Sovereign Nation Era Ends 1800-1827
-
1819
U.S. pays missionaries to “civilize” Native Americans
Congress passes the Civilization Fund Act to promote “education” for Native Americans and to stimulate...Read More
-
1820
American missionaries and traders come to Hawai’i
American traders dominate the sandalwood trade. Missionaries focus on Christianizing the Hawaiian elite. Queen Ka‘ahumanu,...Read More
-
1820
First plans for Indian removal
With threats of genocide, the Treaty of Doak’s Stand is signed, and the Choctaw cede...Read More
-
1821
California becomes a Mexican state
As Mexico declares independence from Spain, Mexico welcomes American colonists and gives them “free” land...Read More
-
1821
U.S. takes possession of Florida
The U.S. takes possession of Florida, having acquired the territory from Spain through the Adams-Onis...Read More
-
1822
Final official invitation for Indian leaders to meet with U.S. president
This is the last time tribal leaders receive an invitation to meet the president (James...Read More
-
1823
Skull Creek Massacre of Karankawa (Texas)
In retaliation for the killing of two colonists by Indians, colonists retaliate against an unrelated...Read More
-
1823
Supreme Court cites Doctrine of Discovery, rules American Indians do not own land
The Supreme Court decides the first of three major cases (the Marshall Trilogy) that set...Read More
-
1823-1839
Scientists conclude Natives are intellectually deficient and not civilizable
Physician Samuel George Morton, founder of physical anthropology in the U.S., actively solicits skulls and...Read More
-
1823-1824
Bureau of Indian Affairs created within the War Department
The Office of Indian Affairs (later the Bureau of Indian Affairs) is created within the...Read More
-
1824
Fall Creek Massacre of Seneca (Indiana)
Settlers rob and kill eight Seneca. Three of the six settlers are found guilty and...Read More
-
1824
Missionary boarding schools established in Hawai’i
Missionaries are the first to introduce western-style formal schooling targeting adults and, later, children through...Read More
-
1825
Andrew Jackson lays groundwork for reservation system
In “Indian Treaties, and Laws and Regulations Relating to Indian Affairs,” Jackson advocates for reservation...Read More
-
1825
Seminole wars continue
The U.S. claims rights to all Seminole lands east of the Mississippi river. Osceola rises...Read More
-
1825
Creek lands are ceded via an illegal treaty (Georgia, Alabama)
William McIntosh, a Creek chief, accepts a $25,000 bribe to sign a treaty ceding all...Read More
-
1826
Dressing Point Massacre of Karankawa Tribe (Texas)
A posse of American Texas settlers massacre 40 to 50 Karankawa near the mouth of...Read More
-
1828
State of Georgia illegally extends state jurisdiction over Cherokee
Georgia creates state laws to take Cherokee lands and attempts a break-up of the Cherokee...Read More
