The Dawes Act

The Dawes Act, enacted in 1887, aimed to assimilate Native Americans into U.S. society by dividing tribal lands into individual plots. Each Native American family received a designated area, with the intention of promoting farming and individual ownership. Any surplus land was sold to non-Native settlers. This legislation intended to undermine tribal governance and culture but often resulted in the loss of tribal land and identity, contributing to significant social and economic challenges for Native communities. The Act marked a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Native Americans during a time of westward expansion.