Allotment

Definition

Allotment refers to the policy of dividing up communal tribal lands into individual parcels or allotments, which were then assigned to individual Native American families or households. This was a key part of the government's efforts to assimilate and 'civilize' Native Americans by encouraging private property ownership and agriculture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Dawes Act of 1887 was the primary legislation that enabled the allotment of Native American lands, with the goal of breaking up tribal communal ownership and encouraging individual private property and agriculture.
2. Allotment was part of the federal government's broader policy of assimilation, which aimed to force Native Americans to abandon their traditional ways of life and adopt Euro-American cultural norms and economic practices.
3. Allotment dramatically reduced the total amount of land under Native American control, with over 90 million acres lost between 1887 and 1934 as a result of the policy.
4. The allotment system undermined tribal sovereignty by dismantling the communal land ownership system that was central to many Native American cultures and political structures.
5. The loss of land and the disruption of traditional ways of life caused by allotment had devastating social, economic, and cultural impacts on Native American communities.

Review Questions

• Explain how the policy of allotment was connected to the broader goal of assimilating Native Americans into Euro-American culture.
  • The allotment of Native American lands was a key part of the federal government's policy of assimilation, which aimed to force Native Americans to abandon their traditional ways of life and adopt Euro-American cultural norms and economic practices. By dividing up communal tribal lands into individual parcels and assigning them to individual Native American families, the government sought to encourage private property ownership, agriculture, and the adoption of a sedentary, agrarian lifestyle - all of which were central to the dominant Euro-American culture at the time. This disruption of traditional communal land ownership and economic systems was intended to undermine Native American cultural identity and tribal sovereignty, ultimately leading to the assimilation of Native peoples into the broader American society.
• Describe the impact of the allotment policy on the total amount of land under Native American control and the consequences for tribal sovereignty.
  • The allotment of Native American lands had a devastating impact on the total amount of land under tribal control. Over 90 million acres of land were lost between 1887 and 1934 as a result of the allotment policy. This dramatic reduction in the land base controlled by Native American tribes significantly undermined their political and economic sovereignty. The dismantling of the communal land ownership system that was central to many Native American cultures and political structures weakened tribal governments and their ability to self-govern. The loss of land and disruption of traditional ways of life caused by allotment also had severe social, economic, and cultural impacts on Native American communities, further eroding their autonomy and ability to maintain their distinct identities.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the allotment policy for Native American communities and their relationship with the federal government.
  • The allotment policy had profoundly negative long-term consequences for Native American communities. By dismantling the communal land ownership system and forcing the adoption of private property and agriculture, the policy undermined the cultural, social, and political foundations of many tribes. The dramatic loss of land under tribal control severely weakened the economic and political sovereignty of Native nations, making them increasingly dependent on the federal government. The social and cultural disruption caused by allotment also had lasting impacts, contributing to the erosion of traditional ways of life and the forced assimilation of Native peoples into the dominant Euro-American society. The legacy of the allotment policy has continued to shape the complex and often contentious relationship between Native American tribes and the federal government, as tribes have struggled to regain their land, resources, and autonomy in the face of this historical injustice.

Related terms

Dawes Severalty Act: The 1887 Dawes Act authorized the federal government to divide up communal Native American tribal lands into individual allotments, which were then assigned to individual Native Americans.

Assimilation: The process of absorbing and adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group, often with the goal of blending into the dominant culture.

Tribal Sovereignty: The inherent right of Native American tribes to govern themselves, make their own laws, and determine their own futures within the bounds of federal law.