1872: General Mining Act gives rise to the taking of tribal lands

President Ulysses S. Grant signs the General Mining Act into law, allowing individuals and corporations to stake claims to land. There is no requirement that Native peoples be informed of claims to their lands. Miners are the first to stake claims on Indian lands, and their business interests usually drive the political will to permit the taking of Indian lands.

Theme

Federal-Tribal Relations, Land and Water

Region

Arctic, California, Great Basin, Great Plains, Northeast, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Southeast, Southwest, Subarctic