Chapter Review - Book Report/Review Example

Indian termination occurred in 1940-1960 that saw exceptional treatment to some tribes in America cease. Natives of America were the Red Indians and had privileges based on bureaucracy. The Indian terminations made the government cease to grant Native Americans exceptional treatment; hence, they treated them as citizens. This meant Native Americans started to pay taxes, which they formerly did not pay at all. Native Americans were also subject to the set law. This strategy ended the government’s view of the dominion of the Indian tribe.

The Congress argued that independence was best for the development of these Indians as many of them were exceptionally poor by then. Despite the exceptional treatment, still Indians resided in ghettos.This termination did not make the natives happy. This resulted in the rise of activism by the Indians who believed their rights were being violated. They felt overlooked by the government in their own home. More agitation resulted since most of those running the government were non-Native Americans.

Resources such as rivers, which were banned for public use, were permitted to be used by Indians. After passing this legislation, Indians were also denied access to use these resources. In reaction to this, the Indian community had to protest (Edmund et al. 217). As this was not discrimination in real terms, they had to protest. Incited by the African Americans who inhabited these ghettos with the protestors, they revolted. Some of these protests escalated to violence.Hunting and fishing community from origin, hunting and fishing rights evoked several protests.

They went to court, and the court ruled that the law was fair. After losing they went to the Supreme Court and were allowed to continue hunting and fishing. The court identified this as their right (Edmunds et al. 289). In spite of this, federal government intended to enforce the past legislations. In enforcing, these police used brutality against the Indians. This led to the rise of the Red power movement. Its plan was to push for better social services for the native Indians in the country.

As in four days minimal success was achieved, they believed they upheld their dignity. The Indian’s resistance was answered with opposition from the government. The Indians resorted to the use of videos with police brutality to publicize their accusations. Publications that instilled activism were distributed to the Indians and those that sympathized with them.This period saw the absorption of many Indians until extinction of the community became an imminent threat. Still, there were Indians left steadfast in their quest.

They never wavered from agitating for what they believed was their rights. The 1960s saw pure activism and efforts by the government to quell them. In the late 1970s when the Indians failed to yield, the government started to give in to their demands. As time went on, the government started extending some privileges to them. At this point, years of activism were finally paying off. Poverty that was rampant in the community was addressed. The late 1980s to 1990 saw the decline of activism. This was the result of achieving most of what Indians were fighting to achieve.

Indian study programmes were created in the United States. The Indians believed their battles for reinstatement and recognition had finally succeeded. Termination failed to succeed, but indigenous rights remain contentious internationally.Works cited Edmunds, R D, Hoxie, Frederick E., and Neal Salisbury. The People: A History of Native America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 2007. Print.