Which of the following best describes the shift in U.S. policy towards Native Americans?

The choice of assimilation and land allotment policies best captures the significant shift in U.S. policy towards Native Americans, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This period saw the U.S. government implement strategies aimed at integrating Native Americans into mainstream American society, often at the expense of their traditional cultures and communal landholdings.

The Dawes Act of 1887 is a key example of this approach, as it aimed to divide tribal lands into individual plots for Native American families, promoting the idea of private property and farming. This was intended to encourage assimilation into American agricultural practices and diminish the communal land ownership that characterized many Native American tribes. The federal government believed that by breaking up tribal lands and encouraging individual ownership, Native Americans would be more inclined to adopt Euro-American customs and lifestyles, which aligns with the broader theme of assimilation during this era.

Additionally, policies of this nature often led to significant loss of land for Native Americans as surplus lands were sold to non-Native settlers. The shift towards assimilation reflected a paternalistic viewpoint held by many Americans who saw Native cultures as inferior and believed that their integration into white society was necessary for their survival.

In contrast, while increased military intervention and conflict did occur, particularly during events