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Dawes Act

Definition

The Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act of 1887, was a U.S. law that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by dividing tribal lands into individual plots.

Related terms

Homestead Act: This was an 1862 law that offered 160 acres of public land free to any family that would farm it for five years. It encouraged westward migration and settlement.

Indian Removal Act: Passed in 1830, this act authorized the president to negotiate with southern Native American tribes for their removal to federal territory west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their ancestral homelands.

Cultural Assimilation: This is a process where individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often losing aspects of their original cultural identity in the process.

"Dawes Act" appears in:

Study guides (1)

  • AP US History - 6.3 Westward Expansion Social and Cultural Development

Practice Questions (1)

  • What contrasts exist between President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act and Congress' Dawes Act?

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About Us

About Fiveable

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Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

CCPA Privacy Policy

Resources

Cram Mode

AP Score Calculators

Study Guides

Practice Quizzes

Glossary

Cram Events

Merch Shop

Crisis Text Line

Help Center

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.