Question

The US government wanted the New Mexico Indians to:

A) Preserve their traditional ways
B) Assimilate
C) Seek independence
D) Migrate to a different region

Answer 1

The US government wanted the New Mexico Indians to assimilate, which meant adopting the dominant American culture's beliefs and way of life.

Step-by-step explanation:

The US government's approach towards the New Mexico Indians focused on the policy of assimilation. Assimilation meant that the Native Americans were encouraged or forced to adopt the beliefs and ways of life of the dominant American culture. Historical records and policies, such as the actions of Protestant missionaries and the establishment of boarding schools for Native American children, clearly illustrate the government's preference for assimilation rather than the preservation of Native American cultures. Similarly, the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 moved towards granting autonomy; however, the broad thrust of policy before this had been towards assimilation, as evidenced by the effort to 'Americanize' Native Americans.