Changes in the Indian Territory Answers

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: American Indians were concerned about land allotment because it would force them to farm land, but many had never farmed or were not interested in farming. They were also concerned that the Dawes Commission was able to determine who would be considered a tribe member, as there were many suspicious or false claims. Because the rules for allotment were so complicated, few were able to understand how allotment was actually supposed to work. Many individuals took land from American Indians in very deceptive ways, including purchasing very long lease rights, writing themselves into the wills of older American Indians, and claiming guardianship of orphans in order to gain land.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The Dawes Commission was formed to negotiate the end of tribal land ownership with the Five Tribes. They wanted to include the land of the Five Tribes in the allotment. The commission was headquartered in Muskogee, Indian Territory, and on November 1, 1893, Henry L. Dawes was appointed head of the commission. The commission also included Meredith Helm Kidd of Indiana and Archibald S. McKennon. The lack of success of the Dawes Commission frustrated Congress, who ordered a land survey of the Indian Territory and defined tribal roles and allotment without tribal approval. Eventually, the Dawes Commission would be transformed into a judicial tribunal, which held court to determine issues such as tribal citizenship and the specifics of land allotment.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: American Indians resisted the federal allotment of land because many were not interested in farming or did not know how to farm land. There were also concerns that the Dawes Commission could undermine tribes when deciding an individual’s tribal membership. The Choctaw were especially suspicious of the amount of individuals claiming tribal membership.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: American Indians set up their own government with leaders and representatives. They met at council houses to work on laws for the nation. The nations also set up an internal school structure with different types of schools. The schools often were separated by sex, and some had schools for African Americans as well. Although they were sovereign nations, their internal structure was similar to the US government. Both had elected leaders, representatives, and regulated school systems. American Indian nations functioned as sovereign nations that governed their own tribes, much like the US government.