What was the government's approach to relocating Native Americans known as?

The government's approach to relocating Native Americans is best known as the Reservation System. This system was implemented primarily in the 19th century and involved the establishment of designated areas, or reservations, where Native American tribes were forced to live. These reservations often occupied land that was less desirable for European settlers, and they were part of a broader policy that aimed to confine Native populations to specific regions of the country.

This method contrasted sharply with other policies such as the Indian Removal Act, which was more focused on the forced relocation of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to lands west of the Mississippi River. In contrast, the Reservation System involved setting aside land specifically for tribes but often came with significant restrictions and regulations imposed by the federal government.

Assimilation Policy was aimed at integrating Native Americans into European-American culture, often through education and the promotion of Christianity, which was distinct from the concept of establishing reservations. Cultural Preservation refers to efforts made to maintain and protect the cultural heritage and traditions of Native American groups, rather than the approach taken by the government to relocate them.

The Reservation System not only exemplifies the U.S. government’s approach to dealing with Native American populations but also led to significant consequences for the tribes, including loss of land, sovereignty, and