LAD #24 Dawes Sevarly Act

Passed in 1887 the Dawes Severalty Act was just another way for the government to control the Native Americans. The act was written by a Massachusetts senator, Senator Henry Dawes. It stated that the President was able to break up reservations and reallocate the land to individual Native Americans. This was an attempt to assimilate Native Americans into western culture. In addition the act allowed for any "left-over" land to be sold by the United States government. The land that was given to the Native Americans was very poor and was in no condition for farming. The United States government was using this Act to exceed power over the Native Americans.