Dawes Act and Reservations Flashcards

In what year was the Dawes (General Allotment) Act passed?

1887.

What was the main aim of the Dawes Act?

To break up tribal land and make Native Americans farm.

What is an allotment under the Dawes Act?

A plot on a reservation given to one person or family.

How big were typical allotments under the Dawes Act?

Head of a family: 160 acres (about 65 hectares). Single adult: 80 acres (about 32 hectares). Child: 40 acres (about 16 hectares).

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What were the basic steps of the allotment process?

Survey the reservation. Divide it into plots. Give plots to families. Sell the 'surplus'.

What happened to 'surplus' reservation land after allotments were given?

It was sold to white settlers and railway companies.

How did the Dawes Act affect tribal chiefs and communal life?

It weakened chiefs and ended shared tribal land.

What did the Dawes Act say about US citizenship?

Those who took allotments could gain US citizenship.

Why did many Native Americans lose their allotments?

Farming was hard, so many sold land to pay debts.

What is a reservation?

Land set aside by the US government for a tribe to live on.

Why did the US government keep Native Americans on reservations?

To control tribes, reduce conflict, and push farming and US ways.

What was life like on reservations in the late 1800s?

People relied on rations, faced strict rules, and lost many traditions.

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