What Was The Dawes Act Of 1887
The Dawes Act was also known as the General Allotment Act of 1887. The purpose of the act was to treat the Native Americans as individuals rather than members of their tribes. The Dawes act was created to encourage the Native American tribes to split up. The Native Americans would be given the land and tools they needed if they became farmers. The Act would teach the Native Americans to be equal like the rest of the American population. For example, children of the Native American ethnicity were sent to boarding school where they would be taught to be like a white person. The Dawes act was a way for the individuals of the Native American tribes to receive citizenship. Once an individual received his or her allotment, it meant that they were
to become a citizen. However, the individuals would have to become separated from their tribes and adopt the the civilized life.
The United States Reservation System was put into place to limit the land occupied by Native Americans. The system was the government’s way of civilizing the Native American people and keeping them off the land that white Americans wished to settle on. Although the Native Americans were not happy with this reservation system many were swayed once they were promised resources and safety from the United States Government. The Reservation System provided clearly defined zones that they were only allowed to settle on. If they complied they would receive food, money and goods they needed in order to survive. The government also promised to protect them from attacks by other tribes and settlers if they moved into the reservation. Although the government provided incentives for the Native Americans life was harder on the reservations. Many Native Americans suffered in poverty and malnutrition and resources were few compared to the Natives on the reservation. Being confined to the reservations it made it harder for the tribes to hunt for food as they were only able to hunt on their land, and therefore missed out in hunting buffalo and other sources of food.
to become a citizen. However, the individuals would have to become separated from their tribes and adopt the the civilized life.
The United States Reservation System was put into place to limit the land occupied by Native Americans. The system was the government’s way of civilizing the Native American people and keeping them off the land that white Americans wished to settle on. Although the Native Americans were not happy with this reservation system many were swayed once they were promised resources and safety from the United States Government. The Reservation System provided clearly defined zones that they were only allowed to settle on. If they complied they would receive food, money and goods they needed in order to survive. The government also promised to protect them from attacks by other tribes and settlers if they moved into the reservation. Although the government provided incentives for the Native Americans life was harder on the reservations. Many Native Americans suffered in poverty and malnutrition and resources were few compared to the Natives on the reservation. Being confined to the reservations it made it harder for the tribes to hunt for food as they were only able to hunt on their land, and therefore missed out in hunting buffalo and other sources of food.