Q
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"What was the purpose of the Dawes Act of 1887? a. To provide tribe-owned land to Native American tribes for their exclusive use and control. b. To promote the assimilation of Native Americans into mainstream American society. c. To establish a fair trading system between Native Americans and European settlers. d. To ensure the preservation of Native American languages and cultures. How did the Dawes Act impact Native American communities? a. It allowed Native Americans to keep their traditional way of life intact. b. It resulted in the loss of millions of acres of Native American land."
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Step 1
: Understand the purpose of the Dawes Act of 1887

The Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act, was a significant piece of legislation in the United States with the primary goal of assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society. The act was motivated by the belief that the reservation system was failing and that private land ownership would encourage Native Americans to adopt European-American agricultural practices and lifestyles.

Step 2
: Examine the given answer choices

The correct answer choice should reflect the primary goal of the Dawes Act, which was to promote assimilation.

Final Answer

Step 3: Analyze the impact of the Dawes Act on Native American communities The Dawes Act had a profound impact on Native American communities, resulting in the loss of millions of acres of their land. The act divided communal tribal lands into individual allotments, which were then granted to Native Americans. However, the allotted land was often of poor quality or unsuitable for agriculture. Moreover, the act opened up surplus lands to non-Native American settlement, leading to the loss of millions of acres of Native American territory. Step 4: Evaluate the impact of the Dawes Act on Native American culture and way of life The Dawes Act did not allow Native Americans to maintain their traditional way of life intact. Instead, it forced them to adopt European-American agricultural practices and lifestyles, which often clashed with their cultural values and traditions. As a result, the Dawes Act significantly disrupted Native American communities and contributed to the erosion of their cultures.

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