What was a major goal of the Dawes Act of 1887?

The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed primarily to encourage Native American assimilation into American society. This legislation sought to break up tribal lands, which were held communally by Native American tribes, and allocate individual parcels to Native Americans. The intent was to transition Native Americans from a communal lifestyle to a more individualistic farming lifestyle akin to that of Euro-American settlers. By doing so, the government hoped to integrate Native Americans into American society, making them landowners and, in theory, more "civilized" in accordance with contemporary views.

This focus on assimilation reflected broader societal beliefs at the time, which viewed Native cultures as inferior and in need of transformation through adoption of Western-style practices, including agriculture, private property ownership, and citizenship. The act ultimately aimed to diminish tribal sovereignty and encourage Native Americans to adopt the values and norms of white American society. This push for assimilation was part of a larger pattern of policies that sought to eradicate Native American cultural identities during the late 19th century.