How has the US government historically treated Native Americans?

The US government has historically treated Native Americans in a way that has harmed their rights, interests, and well-being. American Indian nations have long been subjected to forced relocation, unjust treaties, and other mistreatment by the US government. In the past, the US has frequently broken its agreements with native tribes. As early as 1778, states were passing laws that stripped Native Americans of their land rights without their consent. In 1831, the US Supreme Court declared Native American nations as “domestic dependent nations” and claimed authority over them. This ruling further limited the sovereignty of Native nations. The US government forced the relocation of Native American tribes in the 1800s, most notably the forced relocation of the Cherokee nation on the Trail of Tears in 1838. This forced movement was incredibly devastating for the Cherokee nation, leading to the deaths of thousands of people and the loss of their ancestral lands. The US government also enacted a series of allotment policies during the late 1800s and early 1900s that took land away from Native American tribes and gave it to individual Native Americans. This resulted in the loss of large portions of Native American land and further weakened tribal sovereignty. Today, the US government still has a long way to go in terms of protecting Native American rights. Native American tribes in Washington state continue to fight for their rights to sovereignty and self-determination. The US government, however, has made some progress in recent years in recognizing and respecting Native American rights.

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How has the US government historically treated Native Americans?

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