Assimilation

Definition

Assimilation is the process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the beliefs, values, and behaviors of another culture, often leading to the loss of their original cultural identity. This term is closely tied to the historical context of U.S. expansion and policies toward Native Americans, particularly in the Southwest, as the government aimed to integrate Indigenous peoples into mainstream American society while undermining their unique cultural practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The U.S. government promoted assimilation through policies like the Dawes Act of 1887, which aimed to break up communal lands and encourage individual land ownership among Native Americans.
2. Assimilation efforts often included placing Native American children in boarding schools where they were prohibited from speaking their native languages or practicing their cultures.
3. Manifest Destiny fueled the belief that assimilation was necessary for 'civilizing' Native Americans as settlers expanded westward into the Southwest region.
4. Assimilation has had lasting effects on Indigenous identities, with many communities still grappling with the impacts of lost languages and traditions today.
5. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 marked a shift in federal policy, recognizing the importance of preserving Native cultures while still promoting some aspects of assimilation.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of assimilation influence U.S. policies towards Native Americans during westward expansion?
  • During westward expansion, assimilation was viewed as a necessary strategy to integrate Native Americans into American society. Policies were implemented to promote English language use, Christianity, and individual land ownership, often at the expense of Indigenous cultures. This mindset was largely fueled by Manifest Destiny, which justified these policies as a means to 'civilize' Indigenous populations in alignment with American values.
• Evaluate the effects of assimilation on Southwestern tribes and how it reshaped their cultural identities.
  • The effects of assimilation on Southwestern tribes were profound and often devastating. Many tribal members were forced into boarding schools where they lost touch with their languages and cultural practices. The imposition of Euro-American values led to a significant erosion of traditional ways of life and social structures within these communities, resulting in a fragmented cultural identity that some tribes continue to struggle with today.
• Critically analyze the long-term consequences of assimilation policies on Native American communities in the Southwest and their contemporary implications.
  • The long-term consequences of assimilation policies have left deep scars on Native American communities in the Southwest. The loss of languages, traditions, and communal bonds has created ongoing challenges for cultural revitalization efforts. Today, many Indigenous groups are actively working to reclaim their heritage while navigating a complex relationship with a society that historically sought to erase it. The implications are evident in the struggles for sovereignty, identity, and social justice that continue within these communities as they seek to balance modern life with traditional values.

Related terms

Cultural Genocide: The deliberate destruction of a group's culture, often through means such as forced assimilation, where Indigenous practices and languages are systematically eradicated.

Reservation System: A legal designation for certain areas of land reserved for Native American tribes, often resulting in separation from their traditional territories and imposed limitations on cultural practices.

Americanization: A movement aimed at transforming immigrants and Native Americans into culturally assimilated members of American society, emphasizing the adoption of English language, customs, and values.