Between Two Worlds: The Survival of Twentieth Century Indians Page: 52
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52
The press largely ignored the proposed legislation and failed
to report on the bill's progress until after Congress passed the
bill. At that time newspapers merely reported its enactment
and contents, while clearly pointing out that the act did not
affect the individual Indian's property rights, tribal property,
the Indian's status, or the ward relationship with the federal
government.
Indians, both citizen and non-citizen, apparently showed
little interest in the Citizenship Act. This attitude toward
citizenship had prevailed for many years. Native Americans
undoubtedly realized that mere possession of citizenship meant
little in reality. Many skeptically viewed the law as another
attempt at obtaining their lands. Prior to the Citizenship Act,
almost every piece of legislation or treaty conferring citizenship
did so contingent on breaking up the Indians' landed estate.
Other attempts at citizenship legislation also included re-
moving property restrictions and eventual state taxation
which the Indian viewed as an endeavor to obtain his lands.
Consequently, these two factors prejudiced the Indian against
citizenship legislation.
The Indian Citizenship Act aroused little opposition or
support because it did not materially affect the status of Native
Americans. This realization prompted congressmen to enact
legislation which theoretically provided citizenship to Indians
while in reality it offered few of its privileges.
The fact that the Citizenship Act would have little impact on
Indian status was not the only factor leading to passage of the
legislation. An atmosphere favorable to humanitarism and
benevolence toward the Indian prevailed at that time. The
Indians' gallant participation in World War I created a
favorable climate for the passage of the act. Congress, however,
did not enact the Indian citizenship legislation out of gratitude
for the Indians' war effort. For one thing, Congress in 1919
granted citizenship to all honorably discharged World War I
Indian veterans who applied to the proper courts. Why wait
another five years to grant blanket citizenship to Indians for
their World War I effort? None of the primary sources relating
to the Indian Citizenship Act mentioned the Indians' role in
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Between Two Worlds: The Survival of Twentieth Century Indians (Book)
Book containing historical information about Native American-U. S. Government relations during the 20th Century, including different pieces of legislation passed against and in support of the American Indians. Index begins on page 236.
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Gibson, Arrell Morgan. Between Two Worlds: The Survival of Twentieth Century Indians, book, 1986; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc862903/m1/68/?q=War+of+the+Rebellion.: accessed July 16, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; .