How did the Dawes Act aim to assimilate Native Americans?

The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society primarily through the allotment of individual plots of land. By dividing communal tribal lands into smaller, individually owned parcels, the law encouraged Native Americans to adopt agricultural practices, which were aligned with prevailing American values of land ownership and farming. The act was based on the belief that by making Native Americans landowners and farmers, they would be less reliant on traditional tribal structures and more integrated into American culture, thus promoting assimilation.

This approach was reflective of a broader policy during the late 19th century that sought to undermine Native American cultural identities and lifestyles. By emphasizing individualism over communal living, the Dawes Act intended to replace the traditional social structures of Native American tribes with those of Euro-American society. The act not only aimed to convert Native Americans to agriculture but also to diminish their connections to their tribal heritage and customs.

While citizenship and government recognition were significant issues, the direct mechanism for assimilation in the Dawes Act was through land allotment and the encouragement of farming practices. This strategy was believed to facilitate a transition into mainstream American life.