Assimilation

Definition

Assimilation is the process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of another group, often resulting in the loss of their original cultural identity. In the context of Native American history, this term highlights the forced efforts by the U.S. government and society to integrate Native peoples into Euro-American culture, often at great personal and societal cost. This phenomenon led to significant shifts in alliances among tribes, tragic events like forced relocations, changes in land ownership practices, and widespread corruption among those responsible for implementing these policies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Assimilation policies gained momentum in the late 19th century as part of a broader strategy to incorporate Native Americans into American society.
2. The Dawes Act of 1887 exemplified assimilation efforts by allotting tribal lands to individuals, undermining communal land ownership and traditional lifestyles.
3. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 resulted in forced relocations that were devastating for many tribes, epitomized by the Trail of Tears.
4. Indian boarding schools were designed to erase Native identities and promote Euro-American values, leading to long-lasting trauma within communities.
5. Corruption among Indian agents, who were supposed to oversee assimilation efforts, often resulted in exploitation and failure to uphold treaties with Native tribes.

Review Questions

• How did assimilation impact shifting alliances among Native American tribes during the 19th century?
  • Assimilation efforts created divisions among Native American tribes as some leaders sought to adapt to Euro-American ways for survival, while others resisted these changes. This led to shifting alliances as tribes faced pressures to conform or face exclusion and marginalization. Some tribes allied with the U.S. government in hopes of securing better treatment or resources, while others remained loyal to traditional practices and governance structures, ultimately affecting intertribal relations.
• Discuss the consequences of the Trail of Tears on the concept of assimilation and its impact on Native American identity.
  • The Trail of Tears represented a brutal aspect of forced assimilation policies where entire communities were uprooted from their ancestral lands. This forced relocation caused immense suffering and loss, deeply affecting tribal identities and unity. As Native Americans were removed from their homelands, many found it challenging to maintain their cultural practices in unfamiliar environments, thus accelerating the erosion of their cultural heritage and complicating their efforts toward assimilation.
• Evaluate how the allotment system under the Dawes Act contributed to both assimilation efforts and corruption among Indian agents.
  • The allotment system established by the Dawes Act aimed at assimilating Native Americans by breaking up communal lands into individual parcels for farming. While this policy intended to encourage adoption of Euro-American agricultural practices, it also facilitated widespread corruption among Indian agents who mismanaged resources and exploited tribal members. As land was lost due to manipulation and unfair practices, many Native Americans were left impoverished and further disconnected from their cultural roots, highlighting the detrimental effects of assimilation alongside systemic corruption.

Related terms

Cultural Genocide: The systematic destruction of a group's culture, which can include language suppression, religious persecution, and the eradication of traditional practices.

Forced Removal: The act of relocating indigenous populations from their ancestral lands through coercive means, often accompanied by violence and loss of life.

Indian Boarding Schools: Institutions established by the U.S. government to educate Native American children in Euro-American ways, often stripping them of their cultural identities.