Dawes Act

Definition

The Dawes Act, enacted in 1887, aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting individual plots of land to them while reducing communal tribal lands. This law was a part of a broader policy of westward expansion, reflecting the government's desire to promote individual land ownership and agricultural development. The act also directly led to significant conflicts with Native American tribes, as it undermined their traditional communal lifestyles and sovereignty over their lands.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Dawes Act aimed to break up tribal landholdings into smaller parcels, allocating 160 acres to each head of a family and lesser amounts to individuals and children.
2. The act was based on the belief that individual land ownership would promote self-sufficiency among Native Americans and encourage them to adopt European-American farming practices.
3. As a result of the Dawes Act, Native American tribes lost over 90 million acres of their original land by the early 20th century, significantly diminishing their territorial rights.
4. The act also included provisions for Native Americans to become U.S. citizens after 25 years if they accepted their allotments, further pushing the idea of assimilation into mainstream American culture.
5. Opposition from Native American leaders and communities eventually led to the act being seen as detrimental, leading to its partial repeal in the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.

Review Questions

• How did the Dawes Act reflect the U.S. government's approach to Native American policy during the late 19th century?
  • The Dawes Act exemplified the U.S. government's strategy of assimilation during the late 19th century by promoting individual land ownership as a means to integrate Native Americans into Euro-American society. The belief was that by allocating specific plots of land, Native Americans would adopt agricultural practices similar to those of settlers, thus abandoning their traditional communal ways. This policy reflected a broader trend of westward expansion that prioritized settler interests over tribal sovereignty and cultural preservation.
• In what ways did the Dawes Act contribute to conflicts between Native Americans and the U.S. government?
  • The Dawes Act intensified conflicts between Native Americans and the U.S. government by undermining tribal landholdings and disrupting traditional lifestyles. As tribes were forced to relinquish communal lands for individual allotments, they faced economic challenges and cultural disintegration. The aggressive push for assimilation often met with resistance from Native communities, leading to tensions and violent confrontations as they fought to maintain their land and identity against government policies that sought to erase them.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Dawes Act on Native American communities and U.S. policy toward Indigenous peoples.
  • The long-term impacts of the Dawes Act on Native American communities were profound, resulting in significant loss of land, culture, and autonomy. The act facilitated an environment where Indigenous peoples were coerced into abandoning their traditions in favor of an imposed lifestyle that prioritized agricultural productivity over cultural identity. This loss not only fractured communities but also set a precedent for subsequent U.S. policies that continued to marginalize Native Americans. By fostering a legacy of disenfranchisement, the Dawes Act has had lasting repercussions on tribal sovereignty and efforts for cultural revitalization that persist into contemporary debates surrounding Indigenous rights.

Related terms

Homestead Act: A law passed in 1862 that granted 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, promoting westward expansion and individual land ownership.

Reservation System: A system established by the U.S. government to confine Native American tribes to specific areas, often leading to loss of land and cultural disruption.

Assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs and attitudes of another culture, often leading to the loss of original cultural identity.