Native American Tribes Primary Source Readings - U.S. History

This is a series of five primary source readings plus unit vocabulary/practice test worksheet on the conflict between Native American Tribes and the United States government from 1828-1903. The primary source readings have 7-12 questions each, which are a combination of reading comprehension and DBQs.

Each of these print-ready primary source readings can be used as homework assignments, sub plans, or for in-class work and discussion.

Primary source readings (most readings are excerpts for purposes of brevity, not full transcripts) included are the following:

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and the Trail of Tears -- Andrew Jackson's 1829 State of the Union Address, John Marshall's Opinion of the Court in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, Judge Smith Thompson's Dissent, Congressman Edward Everett (Whig-Mass.) speech against Indian Removal Act, John G. Burnett's Eyewitness Account of Trail of Tears.

Dakota War of 1862 -- Treaty of Traverse des Sioux (1851), Dakota Chief Big Eagle's Explanation of How the War Began, Trial Transcripts of Chaska Weshankwashtodopee and Chaska-Don.

Standing Bear v. Crook: Is an Indian a “Person”? -- Decision of the Court by District Judge Elmer Scipio Dundy.

The Massacre at Wounded Knee (1890) -- Sioux Reservation Conditions: General Miles telegram, Official Report by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native American Survivor Accounts by Turning Hawk and Dewey Beard.

Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock (1903) -- Opinion of the Court by Supreme Court Associate Justice Edward Douglass White.


Note: These readings along with more than 80 others will be included in the second edition of my book “Primary Source American History,” along with two mock trials, a mock congress and several dozen projects and review worksheets. If you like this (or the free readings on my store), consider getting the complete set.