Allotment and Assimilation Era

Definition

The Allotment and Assimilation Era refers to a period in U.S. history, primarily during the late 19th century, when the federal government implemented policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans into Euro-American culture. This was largely accomplished through the allotment of tribal lands to individual Native Americans, which fragmented communal landholdings and promoted individual land ownership, reflecting a broader goal of eradicating Native American cultural practices and integrating Indigenous peoples into mainstream American society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Allotment and Assimilation Era was characterized by policies that sought to eliminate tribal sovereignty and promote individual land ownership among Native Americans.
2. The Dawes Act led to the loss of over 90 million acres of tribal land by converting communal lands into individual allotments.
3. Many Native Americans were coerced into signing treaties that resulted in the loss of their traditional lands and resources.
4. The era saw the establishment of Indian boarding schools, where Native American children were prohibited from speaking their native languages and practicing their cultures.
5. Resistance to these policies was met with military force, as the government sought to suppress Indigenous identity in favor of assimilation.

Review Questions

• How did the policies during the Allotment and Assimilation Era reflect the U.S. government's views on Native American culture?
  • The policies implemented during the Allotment and Assimilation Era demonstrated a belief that Native American cultures were inferior and needed to be replaced with Euro-American values. By promoting individual land ownership through allotment, the government aimed to dismantle tribal identities and communal living structures that were central to Indigenous cultures. This push for assimilation showed a disregard for Indigenous traditions, as federal authorities sought to create a homogenous society that aligned with their own cultural norms.
• Evaluate the impact of the Dawes Act on Native American communities during the Allotment and Assimilation Era.
  • The Dawes Act had a profound impact on Native American communities by drastically reducing their land holdings and undermining tribal governance structures. By allotting land to individuals rather than tribes, it encouraged disunity and weakened traditional social systems. The act not only facilitated the transfer of vast amounts of Native land to non-Native settlers but also left many Indigenous people without sufficient resources to sustain themselves, leading to significant economic hardship and loss of cultural identity.
• Assess the long-term consequences of the Allotment and Assimilation Era on contemporary Native American communities.
  • The long-term consequences of the Allotment and Assimilation Era continue to affect contemporary Native American communities through enduring economic challenges, loss of cultural practices, and fragmented tribal lands. The policies implemented during this time led to intergenerational trauma as communities grapple with the impacts of forced assimilation. Furthermore, the legacy of these policies is seen in ongoing efforts by tribes to reclaim their identity, land rights, and cultural heritage, illustrating a complex relationship with U.S. federal policy that has shaped Indigenous existence in modern America.

Related terms

Dawes Act:

A federal law enacted in 1887 that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land and granting them U.S. citizenship, while also opening up remaining tribal lands for non-Native settlement.

Indian Boarding Schools: Institutions established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at forcibly assimilating Native American children into Euro-American culture by removing them from their families and communities.

Cultural Genocide: The systematic destruction of a group's culture, including language, practices, and identity, often used to describe the effects of the assimilation policies imposed on Native Americans.