Lesson 57 of 84 · Westward Expansion
⭐ 30 XPThe Dawes Act and Its Effects
The Dawes Act of 1887 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land.
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The Dawes Act of 1887 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land. The Act sought to break up communal tribal lands, which were often sacred and integral to Native American culture, and instead offer each family a 160-acre parcel. This was intended to encourage farming and individual property ownership among Native Americans. However, the policy resulted in the loss of millions of acres of tribal land and undermined Native American communal life, ultimately leading to social and economic challenges for many tribes.
Key Facts
The Dawes Act was enacted in 1887.
It aimed to assimilate Native Americans by allotting individual plots of land.
The Act led to the loss of millions of acres of tribal land.
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Question 1
1 of 2What was the primary goal of the Dawes Act?
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