The constant clash between the white - settler invaders and the resident Apache led to the federal government’s solution of confining the Indians to reservations — often inhospitable tracts of land on which they were expected to survive.
Pidevad kokkupõrked valgenahaliste uusasukate ning apatšidest põliselanike vahel viisid selleni, et föderaalvalitsus lahendas olukorra indiaanlaste koondamisega reservaatidesse — tihtipeale viljatutele maa - aladele, millest arvati elus püsimiseks piisavat.