Why were indigenous Americans not allowed to vote until 1924?

Answer 1

Indigenous Americans, specifically Native American Indians, were not allowed to vote until 1924 due to a variety of factors, including systematic exclusion and discrimination. Here are some key reasons:

1. Legal Barriers: Prior to the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, Native Americans were considered wards of the federal government and were governed by a series of paternalistic policies. The General Allotment Act of 1887, for instance, aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by dividing tribal lands among individuals, leading to the loss of communal land and weakened tribal sovereignty. Under this act, Native Americans were not considered citizens and were denied voting rights.

2. Assimilation Efforts: The US government pursued a policy of forced assimilation of Native Americans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The aim was to suppress indigenous cultures and promote assimilation into mainstream American society. Denying voting rights was one way to restrict the political power of Native Americans and control their assimilation process.

3. Racist Attitudes: Prevailing racist attitudes towards Native Americans played a significant role in their exclusion from voting. Many Americans at the time held stereotypes and prejudices against indigenous people, viewing them as uncivilized or inferior. These prejudices contributed to their disenfranchisement and the denial of basic rights, including the right to vote.

4. State-level Discrimination: Even after the Indian Citizenship Act was passed, some states continued to enact discriminatory policies. For example, many states implemented voting laws that targeted Native Americans specifically, such as literacy tests, poll taxes, or residency requirements that disproportionately affected indigenous populations. These measures effectively hindered Native Americans' ability to exercise their right to vote.

Overall, the denial of voting rights to indigenous Americans until 1924 can be attributed to a combination of legal barriers, assimilation policies, racist attitudes, and discriminatory state-level practices.