What federal agency was established in the 1800s to manage U.S. policy towards Native Americans?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs was established in 1824 and plays a crucial role in managing relations between the federal government and Native American tribes. Its formation was part of a broader effort to implement U.S. policies regarding Native American affairs, especially as the country expanded westward. The agency's responsibilities included overseeing treaties, managing reservations, and addressing issues related to Native American education, health, and economic development.

The choice reflects the context of the 1800s, when the U.S. government sought to exert control over Native American lands and governance through various means, including treaties and reforms. The establishment of the Bureau showed an official recognition of the unique relationship between the U.S. government and Native American communities, although this relationship was often characterized by conflict and imposition rather than cooperation and mutual respect.

Other options, while they sound plausible, either did not exist by that name during the specified time period or were not the primary federal agency responsible for Native American policies at that time. The Bureau of Indian Affairs remains a significant agency today, continuing to influence Native American policy and community relations in contemporary America.