Question

What were two ways the Dawes Act affected Native Americans living in the United States? Select all that apply. Multiple select question. cross out A) It increased their financial independence. cross out B) It broke up their tribal lands into smaller plots. cross out C) It added to their political power in Congress. cross out D) It forced them to assimilate into American culture

Answer 1

The Dawes Act affected Native Americans by breaking up their tribal lands into individual plots and forcing them to assimilate into American culture, severely impacting their traditional way of life and sovereignty.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Dawes Act had significant impacts on Native Americans in the United States, two of which are particularly notable. Firstly, it broke up tribal lands into smaller individual plots which were assigned to Native American families. This action undermined the communal land ownership that was fundamental to many Native American societies and curtailed their traditional ways of life. Secondly, the Act forced assimilation into American culture, with the aim of making Native Americans adopt Euro-American customs, lifestyles, and farming methods. This assimilation policy was not voluntary and led to the erosion of Native American cultural identities and sovereignty.