A significant portion of the land that now constitutes Oklahoma was historically known as Indian Territory.
The Evolution of Indian Territory
Before becoming the state of Oklahoma, much of this region was designated as Indian Territory. This area was specifically set aside by the United States government as a place for the forced relocation of various Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, primarily from the southeastern United States.
- Formation (1834): The general borders of what would become known as Indian Territory were established in 1834 through the Indian Intercourse Act. This act formally defined the boundaries and recognized the area as lands reserved for Native American tribes.
- Purpose: It served as a destination for tribes removed via policies such as the Indian Removal Act, including the "Five Civilized Tribes" (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole), who established their own governments and communities within its borders.
- Opening for Settlement (1889): Over time, due to increasing pressure for westward expansion and land, the federal government began to reduce the size of the Indian Territory. Large sections were opened for general settlement, most notably during the Land Run of 1889, which saw a massive influx of non-Native American settlers.
Transition to Oklahoma
The eventual transition from Indian Territory to the state of Oklahoma involved a complex series of land allotments, the establishment of separate territories (Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory co-existed for a period), and ultimately, the combining of these areas into one state. On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state to the Union, bringing an end to the era of Indian Territory.
