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Explain two consequences of the Dawes Act (1887) - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 1
Explain two consequences of the Dawes Act (1887). Consequence 1 Consequence 2
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two consequences of the Dawes Act (1887) - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Consequence 1
Answer
One major consequence of the Dawes Act was the allocation of land to individual Native American families rather than to tribes as a whole. This act aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by promoting individual land ownership, which was a significant shift from communal land practices. As a result, many Native American families received plots of land that were often less fertile and less suitable for farming, leading to economic difficulties and dependency on government assistance.
Step 2
Consequence 2
Answer
Another consequence of the Dawes Act was the reduction of Native American landholdings. The act allowed for surplus lands to be sold to white settlers, resulting in a significant loss of tribal land. This meant that vast areas traditionally occupied by Native Americans were taken and redistributed to non-Native people, undermining the social and cultural structures of Indigenous communities. As a result of these policies, the power and sovereignty of Native American tribes were severely diminished, impacting their traditional ways of life for generations.