Why didn't the Dawes Severalty Act succeed/work?
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The Dawes Severalty Act, also known as the General Allotment Act, was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1887 with the intention of assimilating Native American tribes into American society by promoting individual landownership. However, the act ultimately failed for several reasons:
1. Assimilation Approach: The act was based on the assimilation policy, which aimed to dissolve tribal communities and cultures by forcing Native Americans to adopt Western agricultural practices and abandon their traditional way of life. Many Native Americans resisted these efforts, as they held their communal land and cultural practices in high regard.
2. Land Loss: Under the Dawes Act, tribal lands were divided among individual Native American families. However, a significant portion of these allotted lands ended up being sold to non-Native Americans, often at very low prices. This led to a rapid loss of Native American land and further fragmentation of tribal communities, resulting in severe economic hardship.
3. Lack of Resources: The act failed to provide Native American families with the necessary resources and support to successfully transition from communal to individual landownership. Many Native Americans lacked the knowledge, tools, and financial means to effectively farm their allotted land. As a result, the productivity and profits from their land were often limited.
4. Cultural Disruption: The Dawes Act disregarded the importance of cultural and social structures within Native American communities. It disrupted traditional communal practices and created conflicts within tribes. The loss of tribal cohesion and support networks resulted in further difficulties for Native American individuals and families as they tried to adapt to the new system.
5. Inadequate Education: The act aimed to educate Native American children in American schools, typically far from their tribal lands. However, the quality of education provided was often substandard, focused on assimilation rather than promoting opportunities for success. This further contributed to the challenges faced by Native American communities in adapting to the changes brought about by the act.
In summary, the Dawes Severalty Act failed to achieve its intended goals due to its flawed assimilation approach, the loss of Native American land, the lack of resources and support, the disruption of cultural practices, and inadequate education. These factors combined to create significant challenges and hardships for Native American communities, rather than promoting successful assimilation.