Unveiling the Intent- Decoding the Purpose Behind the Dawes General Allotment Act

What was the purpose of the Dawes General Allotment Act? The Dawes General Allotment Act, also known as the General Allotment Act of 1887, was a significant piece of legislation in the United States that aimed to reform the reservation system for Native American tribes. The act was intended to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by distributing land to individual Native American households rather than maintaining reservations as communal lands. This article will delve into the objectives of the Dawes General Allotment Act, its implications, and the debate surrounding its impact on Native American communities.