The concept of the 'Reservation System' refers to:

The concept of the 'Reservation System' primarily involves a policy implemented by the United States government that relegated Native Americans to specific lands known as reservations. This system arose in the 19th century during westward expansion, where treaties often forced Indigenous peoples onto designated plots of land, typically less desirable compared to their ancestral territories. The intention behind this was to open up land for settler expansion and economic development, while simultaneously attempting to confine Native American tribes to defined areas.

The establishment of reservations represented a significant shift away from earlier policies that emphasized coexistence, as it sought to limit the traditional lifestyles and territorial rights of Native American nations. This system created a framework that fundamentally altered Native American ways of life, leading to significant economic, cultural, and social challenges that continue to be felt today. It was not merely a contractual arrangement or a method to support Indigenous sovereignty, but rather a means to exert control over Indigenous populations and their lands.