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, breaking up communal tribal holdings. This act represented a significant shift in federal Indian policy, moving from recognition of tribal sovereignty to promoting individual land ownership and citizenship for Native Americans, ultimately undermining tribal governments and cultures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Dawes Act resulted in the loss of over 90 million acres of tribal land by dividing communal lands into individual plots, significantly reducing Native American landholdings.
2. Each eligible Native American was allotted 160 acres of land, but many were unable to meet the requirements for land ownership, leading to further loss of land to non-Native settlers.
3. The act aimed to integrate Native Americans into American society by promoting farming as a means of economic self-sufficiency, which often clashed with traditional tribal lifestyles.
4. The implementation of the Dawes Act led to a significant increase in non-Native ownership of former tribal lands, as many Native Americans sold their allotments out of necessity or pressure.
5. The Dawes Act is often seen as part of a broader federal policy aimed at dismantling Native American cultures and communities in favor of Euro-American ideals.

Review Questions

• How did the Dawes Act of 1887 reflect the federal government's changing approach to Native American policy?
  • The Dawes Act marked a shift from recognizing tribal sovereignty and communal land ownership to promoting individualism and assimilation into American culture. This change was motivated by the belief that encouraging Native Americans to adopt European-American lifestyles would lead to their 'civilization' and integration into society. By allotting individual plots of land, the federal government aimed to dismantle tribal structures and identities.
• Evaluate the immediate impacts of the Dawes Act on Native American communities and their landholdings.
  • The immediate impacts of the Dawes Act were devastating for Native American communities, leading to the loss of vast amounts of tribal land and weakening traditional social structures. The division of communal lands resulted in significant reductions in landholdings for many tribes, with over 90 million acres lost to non-Native settlers. Additionally, the push for individual farming created economic challenges as many tribes struggled to adapt to this new system.
• Analyze the long-term consequences of the Dawes Act on Native American identity and governance, considering subsequent legislation like the Indian Reorganization Act.
  • The long-term consequences of the Dawes Act were profound, leading to significant disruptions in Native American identity and governance. By promoting individual land ownership, the act undermined traditional communal practices and diminished tribal governance structures. Although subsequent legislation like the Indian Reorganization Act sought to restore some tribal authority and communal land holdings, the damage caused by the Dawes Act persisted. Many tribes continued to struggle with issues related to identity, economic viability, and cultural preservation due to the legacy of forced assimilation initiated by the Dawes Act.

Related terms

Allotment: A system where individual parcels of land are distributed to Native Americans, intended to encourage farming and assimilation into mainstream American society.

Indian Reorganization Act: A 1934 law aimed at reversing the Dawes Act's policies by restoring some degree of self-governance and tribal land holdings to Native American tribes.

Assimilation: The process through which Native Americans were pressured to adopt European-American cultural norms, including land ownership and agriculture, often at the expense of their traditional practices.