Which government act led to the establishment of the Oklahoma Territory?

The establishment of the Oklahoma Territory was made possible by the Oklahoma Enabling Act, which was passed by Congress in 1906. This act facilitated the transition of the area into a territory ready for statehood, allowing settlers to establish a government and ultimately seek admission to the Union. It marked a significant step toward formally organizing the unassigned lands in central Oklahoma that had been opened to non-Native American settlers.

The Oklahoma Enabling Act specifically defined the boundaries of the territory and laid out the provisions for building a state government, which was a crucial step in developing the region following the various land runs that had occurred in the late 19th century. The act played a pivotal role in the history of Oklahoma, as it set the stage for the incorporation of communities and the establishment of administrative structures that would later lead to statehood in 1907.

This act represents a point in time when federal oversight and organization were extended to the once-unsettled lands, indicating the shift from a Native American-controlled area to a territory open to American settlers and governance.