The Massacres

Question

Dawes Act and Cultural Erosion
Drawing of the battle of Little Bighorn

The 1887 Dawes Act epitomized the U.S. government's coercive approach toward Native Americans, seemingly proposing assimilation but ultimately threatening their cultural identity. This marked a dark era in U.S. history.

Dawes Act's Coercive Assimilation:
The Dawes Act presented Native Americans with a deceptive assimilation deal, emphasizing English education and farming practices.
Threat to Cultural Integrity: Despite initial considerations, the Dawes Act emerged as a significant threat to Native American cultural identity.
Oppression Pattern and Dark Era:
The Dawes Act fit into a broader pattern of oppression, overshadowing earlier victories like the Battle of Little Bighorn. The 1890s, with the Wounded Knee massacre as a climax, embodied a dark era in U.S. history.
Retaliatory Measures: Victories for Native Americans were consistently undermined by retaliatory measures and ongoing threats.
In 1887, what did the Dawes Act propose to Native Americans in terms of assimilation?

complete autonomy

identity preservation

deceptive assimilation

Answer 1

The Dawes Act proposed deceptive assimilation to Native Americans, emphasizing English education and farming practices.