Dawes Act of 1887

Definition

The Dawes Act of 1887 was a federal law aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land and granting them U.S. citizenship. This act sought to break up communal tribal lands and promote farming and private property ownership, reflecting the prevailing belief in the importance of individualism and the idea that Native Americans needed to adopt Euro-American ways to thrive.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Dawes Act aimed to reduce tribal sovereignty by allotting 160 acres to each Native American family and selling off surplus land to non-Native settlers.
2. It resulted in significant loss of Native American land, as tribes were forced to sell their unallotted lands, leading to a dramatic decrease in their landholdings.
3. The act was part of a broader policy of assimilation that included efforts such as the establishment of boarding schools for Native American children, where they were taught Euro-American values.
4. Although it granted U.S. citizenship to those who accepted their allotments, many Native Americans found the conditions unattainable due to lack of resources and knowledge about farming.
5. The Dawes Act is often viewed as a failure because it undermined tribal structures and led to increased poverty among Native American communities rather than fostering successful integration.

Review Questions

• How did the Dawes Act of 1887 reflect the United States' broader policies toward Native Americans during this period?
  • The Dawes Act was a reflection of the U.S. government's overarching strategy to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society. By allotting individual plots of land and promoting private ownership, it demonstrated a clear shift from recognizing tribal sovereignty to enforcing individualism. This act was part of a larger narrative in which the government sought to eliminate Native cultures and traditions under the belief that assimilation was necessary for their survival and success in a changing America.
• Discuss the long-term impacts of the Dawes Act on Native American communities and their land rights.
  • The Dawes Act had devastating long-term impacts on Native American communities, primarily through the significant loss of ancestral lands. As lands were sold off or lost through various means, many tribes saw their landholdings decrease drastically, leading to poverty and a breakdown of communal lifestyles. The emphasis on individual ownership weakened tribal cohesion and governance structures, ultimately making it more difficult for Native Americans to reclaim their rights and address issues related to land and sovereignty in later decades.
• Evaluate how the Dawes Act fits into the broader context of U.S. expansion and territorial policies in the late 19th century.
  • The Dawes Act fits into the broader context of U.S. expansion as it exemplifies the nation's commitment to Manifest Destiny and the belief that American settlers had a divine right to occupy the continent. This legislation not only facilitated further encroachment on Native lands but also aligned with other policies like the Homestead Act, which encouraged settlement in newly acquired territories. In a time marked by industrial growth and westward expansion, the act was an attempt to integrate Native Americans into a rapidly changing economy while simultaneously undermining their cultural identities, thus reshaping both their futures and the landscape of America itself.

Related terms

Assimilation:

The process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often resulting in a loss of their original identity.

Reservation System: A policy that designated specific areas of land for Native American tribes, often leading to loss of ancestral lands and traditional ways of life.

Homestead Act:

A law passed in 1862 that encouraged Western migration by providing settlers with 160 acres of public land in exchange for a small fee and the requirement to improve the land.