Böcker av Francis Paul Prucha

Provides an analysis of two centuries of federal policy. This is useful reading for those interested in understanding the complexities of American Indian policy.

American Indian affairs are much in the public mind today. The unique legal status of American Indians rests largely on the historical treaty relations between Indian tribes and the federal government. This history details these treaties and their role in American life.

American Indian affairs are much in the public mind today-hotly contested debates over such issues as Indian fishing rights, land claims, and reservation gambling hold our attention. While the unique legal status of American Indians rests on the historical treaty relationship between Indian tribes and the federal government, until now there has been no comprehensive history of these treaties and their role in American life.Francis Paul Prucha, a leading authority on the history of American Indian affairs, argues that the treaties were a political anomaly from the very beginning. The term "e;treaty"e; implies a contract between sovereign independent nations, yet Indians were always in a position of inequality and dependence as negotiators, a fact that complicates their current attempts to regain their rights and tribal sovereignty.Prucha's impeccably researched book, based on a close analysis of every treaty, makes possible a thorough understanding of a legal dilemma whose legacy is so palpably felt today.

Takes account of the revolution that is occurring in bibliographic science as printed reference works extend to electronic databases, CD-ROMs, and online networks such as the Internet. This title provides information on traditional printed works, describes new guides and updated versions of old ones, and notes the availability of reference works.