Includes bibliographical references (page 405) and index.

Revolutionary War and the years following -- Regulating trade and intercourse -- Civilization and education -- Policy of Indian removal -- Emigration of the tribes -- Aftermath of removal -- American expansion and Indian affairs -- Developments in the West -- Civil War years -- Peace policy -- Military challenge -- Indian reservations -- New Christian reformers -- Reservations and reform -- Severalty, law, and education -- Indian service -- Indian territory -- Nation's wards -- Education and health -- Indians' land -- Indian new deal -- Rounding out the new deal -- Termination era -- New day for the Indians -- Indian self-determination -- Indians: America's unfinished business -- Appendix A -- Commissioners of Indian affairs -- Appendix B -- Indian population -- Suggested readings -- Index. Traces the history of the United States' relations with Native American tribes over two centuries from the 1700s to 1980, and examines the creation of federal Indian policy.