Broken Treaties Between US and Native Americans — Reading Comprehension

The history of the United States is marked by a series of treaties made and broken between the US government and Native American nations. These treaties were official agreements meant to establish boundaries, promise land, or guarantee certain rights. However, the reality was much more complicated. Both sides had different expectations and faced difficult choices, which often led to conflict and loss.

From the 1700s through the 1800s, as American settlers moved west, the US government signed hundreds of treaties with Native American leaders. The government often wanted more land for settlers and resources. Many Native nations, facing pressure, agreed to treaties hoping to protect their people and preserve some of their land. Yet, US officials frequently violated these agreements. Sometimes, they ignored the promises as soon as gold, fertile land, or valuable resources were discovered on Native territory. This pattern of broken treaties became a major source of mistrust and anger.

One of the most significant examples is the 1830 Indian Removal Act. This law forced Native peoples like the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole to leave their ancestral lands and move west of the Mississippi River. President Andrew Jackson and Congress argued that this would solve conflicts between settlers and Native Americans. However, Native leaders argued it was unjust. In a speech, Cherokee leader John Ross stated, "We are overwhelmed! Our hearts are sickened... our cause is your cause." This quote shows the deep pain and sense of injustice felt by Native communities. Many treaties promised these nations land "forever," but within decades, even those lands were taken away.

From the US government's perspective, treaties were seen as legal tools to make expansion easier. Officials claimed they were providing compensation or new land, but their main goal was to open up the West for settlement and economic growth. The government often used negotiations that were unequal. Native leaders might have been under threat, misled, or not fully informed about the agreements' consequences. Some treaties were signed without the full consent of all tribal members, causing divisions within Native nations themselves.

For Native Americans, the breaking of treaties meant the loss of land, culture, and autonomy. Being forced onto reservations—often on poor-quality, unfamiliar land—disrupted traditional ways of life. Families were separated. Sacred sites were lost. Many Native people resisted relocation or fought to defend their land. The US Army was sometimes used to enforce broken agreements, leading to violence and tragedy, such as the Trail of Tears and the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Despite these hardships, Native American nations have continued to fight for their rights. Some have turned to US courts or international organizations, demanding the government honor its treaties. While some lands have been returned and formal apologies made, the effects of broken promises are still felt today. Understanding these events helps explain why treaty rights remain so important and controversial in the present.

The story of broken treaties is one of conflicting goals, unequal power, and promises not kept. It reminds us that history is complex, and every agreement has lasting consequences for all involved.

Interesting Fact: In 1980, the US Supreme Court ruled that the government owed the Sioux Nation hundreds of millions of dollars for breaking the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty—but the Sioux have refused the money, demanding the return of their land instead.

What was the Indian Removal Act?

Which year did the Trail of Tears start?

Who refused compensation for broken treaties in 1980?

Why did the US government break treaties?

What was the main impact of reservations?

What does the quote from John Ross show?

True or False: All treaties were honored.

What does 'autonomy' mean?