Dawes Act Of 1887 Worksheet Answers Explained
Table of Contents :
The Dawes Act of 1887 marked a significant turning point in the United States' policies toward Native American tribes. This legislation aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting individual parcels of land to families, thus promoting farming and private property ownership. In this article, we will delve deep into the Dawes Act, exploring its implications, answering commonly raised questions, and breaking down the content you may encounter in a worksheet related to the topic.
Overview of the Dawes Act
The Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act, was enacted on February 8, 1887. The key features of this act included:
- Allotment of Land: Each Native American family was given an allotment of 160 acres of land, while single adults received 80 acres. This land was often insufficient for sustainable farming.
- Surplus Land: Any land that was not allotted to individual families was declared surplus and made available for sale to white settlers.
- Citizenship: Native Americans who accepted the allotments and adopted "habits of civilized life" could be granted U.S. citizenship after 25 years.
The primary goal was to integrate Native Americans into American society by breaking up tribal landholdings and encouraging individual land ownership.
The Impact of the Dawes Act
Disruption of Tribal Structure
The Dawes Act significantly disrupted the traditional ways of life for many Native American tribes. Tribal communities that relied on collective ownership and communal living were forced into a new, individualistic approach to land ownership, leading to social fragmentation.
Land Loss
The allotments, often poor in quality, were only a fraction of the land that tribes originally occupied. According to estimates, Native Americans lost approximately 90 million acres of their ancestral land due to the act. This drastic reduction of land contributed to poverty and dependence on government aid for many Native Americans.
Cultural Erosion
By promoting farming and individual ownership, the Dawes Act inadvertently contributed to cultural erosion among Native Americans. Traditional practices, community bonds, and spiritual connections to the land were threatened, resulting in a loss of identity and heritage.
Table: Key Outcomes of the Dawes Act
<table> <tr> <th>Outcome</th> <th>Description</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Land Allotment</td> <td>160 acres to families, 80 acres to single adults</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Land Loss</td> <td>90 million acres lost to non-Native settlers</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Citizenship</td> <td>Potential for citizenship after 25 years of living as a settler</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cultural Impact</td> <td>Disruption of tribal structures and practices</td> </tr> </table>
Important Notes
"The Dawes Act is viewed as a tragic chapter in Native American history, reflecting the complexities of American expansionism and its impact on Indigenous peoples."
Worksheet Answers Explained
When working on a worksheet related to the Dawes Act, you may encounter a variety of questions aimed at reinforcing your understanding. Here are explanations for some common worksheet queries:
Question 1: What was the primary purpose of the Dawes Act?
Answer Explanation: The primary purpose was to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American culture by promoting individual land ownership, which was seen as a way to encourage farming and a sedentary lifestyle.
Question 2: Describe the process of land allotment.
Answer Explanation: The process involved surveying tribal lands and distributing individual parcels to members of tribes. Each head of a household received land, and the surplus was sold to white settlers, leading to significant land loss for Native Americans.
Question 3: What were some of the long-term effects of the Dawes Act?
Answer Explanation: Long-term effects included the loss of cultural identity, the fragmentation of tribes, economic difficulties due to insufficient farming land, and enduring issues related to poverty and land ownership.
Question 4: How did the Dawes Act change the relationship between Native Americans and the U.S. government?
Answer Explanation: The Dawes Act redefined the relationship, shifting from a treaty-based system of recognition of tribes to one based on individual rights and property ownership, which ultimately undermined tribal sovereignty.
Question 5: Discuss the implications of the surplus land provision.
Answer Explanation: The surplus land provision was significant as it enabled the U.S. government to sell Native land to white settlers, contributing to the loss of Indigenous territory and furthering the government’s policy of land acquisition and assimilation.
Conclusion
The Dawes Act of 1887 had profound and lasting impacts on Native American communities across the United States. While its stated goals were aimed at assimilating Native Americans and promoting agriculture, the repercussions led to the erosion of tribal identities, vast land loss, and socio-economic challenges that continue to affect Indigenous peoples today. Understanding the historical context and outcomes of the Dawes Act is crucial in recognizing the broader narrative of American history and its implications for Native American rights and sovereignty.