1. Allotment of Tribal Lands: The Dawes Act divided tribally held lands into individual allotments for Native American families, with the surplus land sold to non-Native settlers. This policy aimed to transform communal land ownership into private property, mirroring the Euro-American system of land tenure.
2. Dissolution of Tribal Governments: The Dawes Act intended to weaken the authority and autonomy of Native American tribes. By allocating land to individual households rather than tribes, the US government aimed to reduce the power and influence of tribal governments.
3. Promote Farming and Individualism: The Dawes Act encouraged Native Americans to take up farming and adopt individualistic lifestyles. The government believed that converting Native Americans into self-sufficient farmers would encourage them to assimilate and become "civilized" in the eyes of white society.
4. Americanization and Cultural Assimilation: The ultimate goal of the Dawes Act was to assimilate Native Americans into Euro-American culture. By assigning individual land allotments, promoting farming, and encouraging the dissolution of traditional tribal structures, the government aimed to reshape Native American lives to conform to the dominant American society.
5. Erosion of Native American Culture: The Dawes Act had devastating effects on Native American cultures. It disrupted traditional land-use patterns, weakened communal bonds, and led to the loss of ancestral lands and cultural practices. The policy undermined the cultural heritage and identities of Native American communities.
6. Economic Impact: The allotment system often resulted in the loss of communal hunting grounds and the division of lands into smaller, less viable areas for farming. This severely impacted the economic stability of Native American tribes, leading to increased poverty and dependence on government assistance.
While the Dawes Act had the stated goal of promoting the well-being of Native Americans, it ultimately led to the destruction of tribal communities and the loss of indigenous culture and self-determination. The Indian Land Allotment Act of 1887, also known as the Dawes Act, was a major turning point in US-Native American relations and the federal government's approach to Native American land ownership and assimilation policies.