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Indigenous Nations and the Development of the U.S. Economy: Land, Resources, and Dispossession

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos, Ann M.
  • Feir, Donna L.
  • Redish, Angela

Abstract

Abundant land and strong property rights are conventionally viewed as key factors underpinning U.S. economic development success. This view relies on the “Pristine Myth” of an empty undeveloped land, but the abundant land of North America was already made productive and was the recognized territory of sovereign Indigenous Nations. We demonstrate that the development of strong property rights for European/American settlers was mirrored by the attenuation and increasing disregard of Indigenous property rights. We argue that the dearth of discussion of the dispossession of Indigenous nations results in a misunderstanding of some of the core themes of U.S. economic history.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos, Ann M. & Feir, Donna L. & Redish, Angela, 2022. "Indigenous Nations and the Development of the U.S. Economy: Land, Resources, and Dispossession," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 82(2), pages 516-555, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:82:y:2022:i:2:p:516-555_6
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    Cited by:

    1. Jesse McDevitt-Irwin & James R. Irwin, 2025. "Infant mortality among US whites in the 19th century: New evidence from childhood sex ratios," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 52(10), pages 303-350.
    2. repec:cam:camjip:2233 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Donn L Feir & Rob Gillezeau & Maggie E C Jones, 2024. "The Slaughter of the Bison and Reversal of Fortunes on the Great Plains," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 91(3), pages 1634-1670.
    4. Sascha O. Becker, 2022. "Forced displacement in history: Some recent research," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(1), pages 2-25, March.
    5. Inwood, Kris & Keay, Ian, 2024. "The physical well-being of Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest: Anthropometric evidence from British Columbia’s jails, 1864–1913," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    6. Jeff Chan & Azim Essaji & Rob Gillezeau, 2025. "Railroads, land cessions and Indigenous nations: Evidence from Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 58(3), pages 860-891, August.
    7. Angel, Marco Del & Hess, Gregory D. & Weidenmier, Marc D., 2024. "Mineral price shocks and Native American conflict," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    8. Ayesh, Abubakr & Hisam, Kulsoom & Lorenz, Aaron, 2025. "How Institutions and Bargaining Power shaped Indigenous Economies and Agriculture," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 360987, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Jonathan Dries, 2026. "The Dispossessed: Large-Scale Land Acquisitions, Elite Capture, and Dissent in Africa," Papers 2606.09642, arXiv.org.
    10. Ellie Norris & Shawgat Kutubi & Steven Greenland, 2022. "Accounting and First Nations: A Systematic Literature Review and Directions for Future Research," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 32(2), pages 156-180, June.
    11. Marina Mileo Gorzig & D. L. Feir & Randall Akee & Samuel Myers & Marium Navid & Kai Tiede & Olivia Matzke, 2022. "Native American Age at Death in the USA," Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, Springer, vol. 5(3), pages 194-209, September.
    12. Christian Dippel & Dustin Frye & Bryan Leonard, 2024. "Bureaucratic discretion in policy implementation: evidence from the Allotment Era," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 199(3), pages 193-211, June.
    13. Ennio E. Piano & Louis Rouanet, 2024. "The calculus of american indian consent: the law and economics of tribal constitutions," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 199(3), pages 341-366, June.
    14. Julie Snorek & Susanne Freidberg & Geneva Smith, 2024. "Relationships of regeneration in Great Plains commodity agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(4), pages 1449-1464, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N41 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N50 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N51 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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