Final answer:
The US government utilized several methods, including the Indian Intercourse Acts and Supreme Court rulings like Johnson v. M'Intosh, to regulate trade and dealings with Indian nations. Treaties, such as Greenville's Treaty, and the Indian Removal Act of 1830, exemplified further measures, leading to substantial Indian land cession and relocations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To address the issue of the continuing conflict with the Indians, the US government enacted a range of measures. Among these, the Indian Intercourse Acts from 1790 to 1834 played a significant role. These acts prohibited unregulated trade between settlers and Indians, reserving such transactions for federally licensed traders. The Supreme Court upheld this principle in the 1823 Johnson v. M'Intosh case, reinforcing that private entities could not purchase indigenous lands.
The US government also negotiated treaties such as Greenville's Treaty, which ended the Northwest Indian War and set up trading posts, or 'factories,' to facilitate and regulate trade with Indian nations. Despite these efforts, westward expansion led to numerous conflicts, and federal policies often resulted in the displacement of Indian tribes and lands being ceded to the United States.
To protect its territorial integrity and its citizens, the government also engaged in actions such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to forced relocations exemplified by the tragic 'Trail of Tears.' Ultimately, the combination of diplomatic efforts, legislative actions, and military interventions characterized the government's approach to addressing conflicts with Indian nations during the period of Western settlement.