Dawes Act

Definition

The Dawes Act, enacted in 1887, was a federal law aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land and granting U.S. citizenship. This legislation fundamentally transformed Native American land ownership and was a key element of the Allotment and Assimilation Era, encouraging the breakdown of tribal communal living in favor of individual property ownership.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Dawes Act resulted in the loss of approximately 90 million acres of tribal land by allowing surplus lands to be sold to non-Native Americans.
2. The Act aimed to 'civilize' Native Americans by promoting agriculture and individual land ownership, which was a drastic change from traditional communal living.
3. Only Native Americans who accepted their allotments and agreed to live separately from their tribes were granted U.S. citizenship, creating divisions within tribes.
4. The implementation of the Dawes Act led to the fragmentation of many tribes and contributed to social and economic issues within Native communities.
5. The Dawes Act is often viewed as part of a broader U.S. policy of land dispossession and cultural assimilation that sought to eliminate Native American identity.

Review Questions

• How did the Dawes Act reflect the U.S. government's policies towards Native Americans during the Allotment and Assimilation Era?
  • The Dawes Act exemplified the U.S. government's goal of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society by breaking down tribal structures and promoting individual land ownership. By allotting specific parcels of land to individuals, the Act aimed to eradicate communal living practices that were central to many tribes. This legislative move was part of a larger strategy to 'civilize' Native populations, aligning with the prevailing belief in Manifest Destiny during this period.
• What were the long-term implications of the Dawes Act on Indian Country and land tenure for Native Americans?
  • The Dawes Act had lasting impacts on Indian Country as it led to significant loss of land for Native Americans, with millions of acres taken from tribes. This fragmentation resulted in weakened tribal governance and diminished communal bonds among Native peoples. Over time, the allotment policy contributed to socioeconomic challenges within tribes as many individuals struggled with farming and managing private property in ways that were foreign to their cultural practices.
• Evaluate the effects of the Dawes Act in relation to the subsequent legal developments like the Indian Reorganization Act and its significance for Native American identity.
  • The Dawes Act initiated a cycle of land loss and cultural disruption for Native Americans, laying the groundwork for future legislation such as the Indian Reorganization Act. While the Dawes Act sought to dismantle tribal identities through allotment, the Indian Reorganization Act aimed to restore some tribal sovereignty and promote self-governance. This shift highlighted a significant change in federal policy, recognizing that previous assimilation efforts had failed and underscoring the importance of preserving Native American identity and cultural practices in the face of ongoing challenges.

Related terms

Allotment: A system under the Dawes Act where tribal lands were divided into individual parcels for Native Americans, often resulting in significant loss of land.

Assimilation: The process by which Native Americans were encouraged or forced to adopt Anglo-American culture, values, and lifestyles, undermining their traditional practices.

Indian Reorganization Act: A 1934 law that reversed some effects of the Dawes Act by promoting tribal self-governance and restoring some lands to tribes after years of allotment policies.