ID: Dawes Severalty Act
When: February 8, 1887
Who:
- Author: Senator Henry L. Dawes
- Affected: Native American tribes in the United States
What:
Legislation that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by dissolving communal land ownership and allotting parcels of land to individual Native Americans. The act aimed to break up tribal organizations and encourage farming. Unsuccessful, it was widely viewed as a tool of dispossession and led to significant loss of tribal lands.
Impact: Why Significant?:
- Loss of Tribal Lands: The act resulted in the loss of a significant amount of tribal land, as much of the land allotted to Native Americans was unsuitable for farming or was sold off by speculators.
- Weakening of Tribal Structures: The policy actively undermined tribal governments and traditional ways of life.
- Forced Assimilation: The act imposed American culture and values on Native Americans, forcing them to abandon their traditional practices.
- Increased Poverty and Dependence: Many Native Americans lacked the resources and skills to farm successfully, resulting in widespread poverty and dependence on the federal government.
- Legacy of Resentment: The act remains a source of resentment and a reminder of the injustices suffered by Native Americans. It represents a key part of the broader process of American westward expansion and the dispossession of indigenous peoples.