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 while breaking up tribal communal land. This act intended to promote agriculture and self-sufficiency among Native Americans, but it ultimately led to the loss of tribal identities, languages, and traditional practices as tribes were forced to abandon their communal lifestyles in favor of individual ownership.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Dawes Act allocated 160 acres of land to individual Native American families, while the surplus land was sold to non-Native settlers, significantly reducing tribal landholdings.
2. As a result of the Dawes Act, Native American tribes lost over two-thirds of their land by the late 19th century, severely impacting their cultural practices and languages.
3. The act was part of a broader policy of U.S. government aimed at eradicating tribal sovereignty and promoting Western-style agriculture among Native Americans.
4. Many Native Americans were not familiar with farming practices promoted by the Dawes Act, leading to economic hardship and further marginalization within society.
5. The loss of communal land and the push for individual land ownership contributed to the erosion of traditional practices, languages, and social structures among Native American communities.

Review Questions

• How did the Dawes Act of 1887 impact the social structure of Native American communities?
  • The Dawes Act fundamentally altered the social structure of Native American communities by promoting individual land ownership over communal living. This shift dismantled traditional tribal governance and social cohesion, as families were separated by land allotments. As tribes lost their collective identity and resources, many faced challenges in preserving their languages and cultural practices, leading to long-term effects on their social dynamics.
• What were the intended benefits of the Dawes Act for Native Americans, and how did these intentions contrast with the actual outcomes?
  • The Dawes Act aimed to integrate Native Americans into American society by encouraging agriculture and self-sufficiency through individual land allotments. However, this intention sharply contrasted with actual outcomes; instead of empowering Native Americans, it led to significant loss of tribal lands, cultural disintegration, and economic hardship. The act's focus on assimilation disregarded the importance of communal living and traditional practices that were vital to Native American identities.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Dawes Act on Native American identities and their ability to preserve traditional practices and languages.
  • The long-term effects of the Dawes Act on Native American identities were profound and detrimental. By enforcing individual land ownership, it dismantled communal structures essential for cultural preservation. As a result, many tribes struggled to maintain their languages and traditional practices amidst economic pressures and cultural dislocation. This legacy continues to impact contemporary Native American communities as they work to revive lost traditions while navigating the challenges posed by historical policies like the Dawes Act.

Related terms

Allotment: A system where parcels of land are given to individual Native Americans as part of the Dawes Act, intended to promote farming and individualism.

Assimilation: The process by which Native Americans were pressured to adopt European-American customs, values, and lifestyles, often at the expense of their own cultural practices.

Indian Reorganization Act:

A 1934 law that aimed to reverse the effects of the Dawes Act by restoring some degree of self-governance and communal land holdings to Native American tribes.