Question

What did the new laws establish within Indian reservations?

1) A new form of government
2) Individual tribes governing themselves
3) Native Americans leaving the reservation and retaining their identity
4) All of the above

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 2. New laws provided a legal basis for Native American tribes to govern themselves, with legislation such as the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975. These laws moved away from assimilation towards autonomy but were challenged by financial and state-imposed barriers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The new laws established within Indian reservations set the stage for a movement from forced assimilation to autonomous self-governance for Native American tribes. Native American tribes were allowed to govern themselves, thereby promoting their cultural, economic, and political autonomy. The key legislations that drove this change include the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which ended the allotment of Native American lands to individual families and allowed lands to be held collectively by the tribes.

The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 further reinforced tribal autonomy by allowing tribes to assume control over programs like education and resource management. However, the realization of these rights was often marred by inadequate financial resources and states' resistance.