After World War II, how did the U.S.'s Indian policy change?

After World War II, the United States government adopted a policy of termination concerning American Indian reservations. This shift was rooted in the belief that assimilation into mainstream American society would benefit Native Americans. The government aimed to terminate the special relationship between the tribes and the federal government, thus leading to the dismantling of reserve lands and the reduction of tribal sovereignty.

This policy directly aimed to dissolve the legal recognition of Indian tribes and promote the idea that Native Americans should abandon their traditional lifestyles and integrate fully into American society. Many tribes faced significant challenges as a result, including loss of land, resources, and cultural identity.

While some Native Americans did receive full citizenship rights in 1924 with the Indian Citizenship Act, the termination policy sought to undermine tribal governance rather than enhance individual rights. Similarly, tribal governments were not officially dissolved as part of this policy but instead faced pressure and significant challenges due to the federal government's initiatives aimed at assimilation and termination. The emphasis on termination marked a significant and controversial period in U.S. Indian policy history.