Surplus lands

Definition

Surplus lands refer to parcels of land that remain unallocated after the distribution of land to individual Native American families under federal policies, particularly during the implementation of the Dawes Act. These lands were often sold off to non-Native settlers or developers, leading to further loss of Native American land and culture, and were part of broader assimilation efforts that sought to integrate Native Americans into mainstream American society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Surplus lands were created as a result of the Dawes Act's policy of breaking up tribal lands into individual allotments.
2. The sale of surplus lands was a significant means through which non-Native settlers expanded their holdings in previously Indigenous territories.
3. Many Native American families lost their allotted lands due to financial hardships or exploitation, leading to greater poverty and dislocation.
4. The concept of surplus lands reflected a broader governmental goal of eradicating tribal identities by reducing communal land ownership.
5. The management and sale of surplus lands contributed significantly to the loss of millions of acres of Native American land across the United States.

Review Questions

• How did surplus lands impact Native American communities after the Dawes Act was implemented?
  • Surplus lands had a devastating impact on Native American communities as they facilitated the loss of vast territories. Following the Dawes Act, individual allotments were given to Native families, but any land deemed 'surplus' was sold off to non-Native settlers. This led to economic hardship for many Native Americans, as they often lacked the resources to maintain their new plots and lost both their cultural ties to communal land and much of their traditional way of life.
• Evaluate the intentions behind the federal government's policy of designating surplus lands in relation to assimilation efforts.
  • The federal government's designation of surplus lands was rooted in a desire to assimilate Native Americans into Euro-American culture. By breaking up communal tribal lands into individual allotments and selling the surplus, the government aimed to undermine tribal sovereignty and encourage Native Americans to adopt farming practices akin to those of white settlers. This policy was meant to promote self-sufficiency among Native peoples but ultimately resulted in further marginalization and economic displacement.
• Discuss the long-term consequences of the surplus lands policy on Native American land ownership and identity.
  • The long-term consequences of the surplus lands policy have been profound and enduring for Native American communities. As vast tracts of ancestral land were lost through sales and financial pressures, many tribes faced significant challenges in maintaining their cultural identity and community cohesion. The fragmentation of land ownership not only diminished their economic base but also eroded traditional practices tied to land stewardship. These consequences have contributed to ongoing struggles over land rights and identity among Native Americans today, emphasizing the lasting impacts of federal policies aimed at assimilation.

Related terms

Dawes Act: The Dawes Act, enacted in 1887, aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting individual plots of land to families and selling surplus lands to non-Natives, undermining tribal sovereignty.

Assimilation: A process by which Native Americans were pressured to abandon their cultural practices and adopt European-American ways of life, often through federal policies like the Dawes Act.

Indian Reservations: Designated areas of land managed by Native American tribes, where they were often confined as a result of treaties and federal policies, including the redistribution of surplus lands.