Changes

In honor of the presence of the Nez Perce Indian tribe in the northwest before they were moved, there are now 38 national historic sites in remembrance of them in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho,<ref>http://www.nps.gov/nepe/</ref> which are frequently visited by tourists.

In honor of the presence of the Nez Perce Indian tribe in the northwest before they were moved, there are now 38 national historic sites in remembrance of them in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho,<ref>http://www.nps.gov/nepe/</ref> which are frequently visited by tourists.

In 1881, a book was published that attempted to do for the Native Americans what "Uncle Tom's Cabin" did for African Americans.  Called "A Century of Dishonor," it complained about and exposed unjust treatment of Indians by the United States.  Its author was Helen Hunt Jackson.

In 1881, a book was published that attempted to do for the Native Americans what ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' did for African Americans.  Called ''A Century of Dishonor'', it complained about and exposed unjust treatment of Indians by the United States.  Its author was Helen Hunt Jackson.

In 1887, partly in reaction to this book, Congress enacted the Dawes Act to help Indians.  This law granted landholdings (allotments, usually 160 acres or 65 hectares) to individual Native Americans, which replaced communal tribal holdings. In other words, this law attempted to convert the tribal structure of Indian life into the individualized private property system used by Europeans and most Americans.  It sought to absorb tribe members into the general public.

In 1887, partly in reaction to this book, Congress enacted the Dawes Act to help Indians.  This law granted landholdings (allotments, usually 160 acres or 65 hectares) to individual Native Americans, which replaced communal tribal holdings. In other words, this law attempted to convert the tribal structure of Indian life into the individualized private property system used by Europeans and most Americans.  It sought to absorb tribe members into the general public.

This law was a complete failure.  Within decades most of the tribal land had been transferred into ownership by non-Indians, and the Indians were worse off than they were before.  This was an example of government trying to make something better, but actually making it worse.

This law was a complete failure.  Within decades most of the tribal land had been transferred into ownership by non-Indians, and the Indians were worse off than they were before.  This was an example of government trying to make something better, but actually making it worse.

In 1890, the U.S. Census Bureau declared that the frontier was settled and officially closed.  The era of frontier America, which first began with the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, and then spread westward for nearly 300 years, was finally over.  Frederick Jackson Turner wrote in 1893 that frontier experience had promoted individualism and democracy. Do you agree?

In 1890, the U.S. Census Bureau declared that the frontier was settled and officially closed.  The era of frontier America, which first began with the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, and then spread westward for nearly 300 years, was finally over.  Frederick Jackson Turner wrote in 1893 that frontier experience had promoted individualism and democracy.

By the end of 1890, 44 States had been admitted to the United States.  The only States that were not yet admitted into the United States were Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.  They joined later.

By the end of 1890, 44 States had been admitted to the United States.  The only States that were not yet admitted into the United States were Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.  They joined later.