What was the Dawes Act intended to achieve?

• A. Encourage the establishment of Indian reservations
• B. Abolish all Native American rights
• C. Americanize Native Americans by breaking up reservations
• D. Promote traditional Native American practices

Answer: (C)

The Dawes Act, passed in 1887, aimed to Americanize Native Americans by breaking up reservations and distributing land to individual Native American families. The idea behind this legislation was to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by promoting individual land ownership, which was considered a key attribute of American culture at the time. By allotting specific parcels of land to individuals rather than to tribes, the Dawes Act sought to dismantle the communal living arrangements traditional among many Native American tribes. The broader goal was to integrate Native Americans into the agricultural economy and diminish tribal identities.

This approach directly contrasts with the other options. The act was not designed to encourage the establishment of Indian reservations, as it aimed to reduce their size and influence. It also did not abolish all Native American rights, although it significantly undermined their sovereignty and communal rights. Finally, it actively discouraged traditional Native American practices by promoting an assimilationist agenda that prioritized American cultural values over indigenous traditions.