Question

One effect of the Dawes Act was that it -

A) Caused many American Indian tribes to create written constitutions
B) Provided education to American Indians through locally run schools
C) Limited the voting rights of American Indians
D) Harmed the communal structure of American Indian society

Answer 1

The Dawes Act of 1887 disrupted the communal life of American Indian societies by allotting individual land parcels to Native Americans and opening surplus reservation lands to white settlers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Dawes Act of 1887 had far-reaching effects on Native American society, one of which was that it harmed the communal structure of American Indian society. This act aimed at assimilation by allotting individual land parcels to Native Americans, while any "surplus" land from their reservations was made available to white settlers. This fundamentally disrupted their communal way of life and undermined their social, economic, and religious practices.

From a native perspective, the division of land under the Dawes Act not only prevented the communal hunting practices but also disrupted their entire societal structure. Additionally, while presenting an image of benevolence and the promise of eventual citizenship through land ownership, much of the allotted land to Native Americans was arid and not conducive to the promised agricultural lifestyle. Ultimately, the act facilitated the transfer of millions of acres of tribal lands to the federal government and then to Anglo settlers.