17. A move towards unity and its effect on Native American civil rights

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  • Created by: Alasdair
  • Created on: 06-06-17 21:06
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  • 17. A move towards unity and its effect on Native American civil rights
    • Reforms of New Deal period again not a result of pressure from NAs but from Americans, e.g. John Collier
    • Not until WW2 and establishment of National Congress of Americans Indians (NCAI) that tribes joined together to improve their positions and rights
    • Second World War encouraged development of NA civil rights organisations
      • Significant number of NAs fought in war and during this time experienced both discrimination and racism
        • Encouraged them to join campaigns and pressure groups to end such treatment and improve rights
    • NCAI
      • Able to exert pressure on government
        • Gov responded by establishing Indian Claims Commission
          • Initially means by which native lands would be returned
          • In practice was disappointment, as compensation - rather than return of lands - was usually outcome
    • National Indian Youth Council (NIYC)
      • Established 1961
      • Prime example of pressure group encouraged by gov policy of termination and growing civil rights movement
      • Clear indication of change in NA attitudes and of a willingness to unite in protest
        • Seen clearly in 1964 wen hundreds of NAs assembled in Washington for recognition as part of Johnson's 'War on Poverty'
      • Initial aim of protecting NA fishing rights
      • Role developed and it took on lawsuits to protect treaty rights and religious freedom
    • Inspiration from movements such as Black Power
      • Despite emergence of NIYC and successes in courts, many NAs (particularly young) who believed progress in obtaining rights was too slow
      • Inspired by movements like Black Power, adopted more militant approach which culminated in establishment of American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 and emergence of 'Red Power'
      • 'Red Power'
        • Term taken directly from Black Power
        • Many tactics and desire to create mass movement and pride in their race and culture followed from inspiration of Malcolm X and Black Power
    • Period from 1968 to mid-1970s witnessed most concerted action by NAs themselves to improve their rights
      • Debatable extent pressure influenced Nixon and Ford
        • Two presidents who were sympathetic to NA cause coinciding with Red Power certainly resulted in greatest period of improvement in position for NAs

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