In working on the sample questions, you are encouraged to make
use of all the material presented during the quarter (lectures,
readings, guests, films, visual materials, and discussion) when
you think about the questions and your answers.
The questions will be divided into two groups. Each group will
ask you to slice the history of Native Americans in a different
way.
Group A will ask you to describe and analyze a larger
chronological period in the history of Native Americans. These
questions will focus on the second half of the course (after the
midterm).
Rough periods to think about:
Contact and strategies of cultural response. (c. 1500-1680)
Diplomacy and inter-cultural negotiation. (1680-1790/1820)
Exploring new geographic and cultural spaces. (1790-1860)
Cultural responses to program of annihilation and assimilation. (1850/60s-1930s)
Exploration of voices for recognition, compensation, sovereignty, and self-identity within Anglo-American social-economic structures, hierarchies, and institutions (1920s-present).
Identify "sea changes" (major changes in direction) in the history of Native Americans from 1500 to the present. Explain each of these critical periods or events in terms of how you view the sweep of Native American History.
Note: you can use the "Rough periods" above to prepare an answer or you can define periods as you see them.
Compare and contrast the various different types of assimilationist policies applied to Native Americans by the US government. Use at least 3 examples gfrom different periods
Note: you can use the period1790-2000 in answering this question, so you want to work on examples that 1) are representative, 2) are broad enough to deal with the question, and 3) that you can explain and compare clearly.
How has the formation of US policy towards Native Americans related to the cycles of development of the US national economy? You may discuss the period from 1800 to the present.
Describe President Grant's "Peace Policy." In what ways was it a departure from previous policy? How did it change thinking about the place of Indians in American society? How did it influence subsequent policies towards Native Americans?
Group B questions will ask you to discuss and analyze
a more specific issues that have historical been and are still
critical to Native Americans in the US. These questions will focus
on social, cultural, and political issues that cut across chronological
periods.
Describe the position of Major Miles towards his Osages charges in John Matthewís book Wah Kon Tah. What does he do to change them? How do the Osage resist and modify the cultural impositions that Major Miles sought to impliment?
How did Native American groups survive culturally the brunt of the American onslaught during the 19th century? What price did Indian communities pay? What resources did they use to create a viable identity and society?
Discuss the cultural, political, and historical significance of the "revival" of the Sun Dance and the Ghost Dance by the Lakota in the 1970s.
Compare and contrast the Ghost Dance of the 1880-90s with other modes of Native American religious reconfiguration that we have encountered during this course (e.g. Pueblo Revolt of 1680; the Midéwiwin of the Ojibwa; the late 18th/ early 19th century "prophets" (like Neolin, Tenskatawa); the 19th century and modern Plains Sun Dance; the Native American Church (peyote ceremony); Pow-wows?
How did the "self-determination" of John Collierís Indian Reorganization Act differ from "self-determination" for Native Americans that emerged from the 1960s and 1970s?
How have non-Indian views of Native American lifeways and beliefs shaped American social and interactions with Indians and governmental policy?
How has the growing role of the Federal Government in American life during the 20th century affected the ability of Indian tribal governments to lead the resurgence of Native American culture and identity?
Compare and contrast the purpose of the Termination policies
of the 1950s with 2 or more other major approaches to the "Indian
Problem" since 1860.
There will be 5 terms to identify out of approximately 10 choices.
As in the midterm exam, make sure that you provide:
1) a simple definition of the term as well as
2) a short explanation of its significance in the history of Native Americans in the US.