b) Dawes Act

The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans into U.S. society by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments and promoting a sedentary, agricultural lifestyle. This act drastically altered traditional Native American communal land ownership, with the goal of eroding tribal structures and integrating Native Americans into American culture. However, it resulted in significant loss of tribal lands and cultural erosion. The Dawes Act reflected the prevailing attitudes of the era towards Native Americans and had long-lasting negative impacts on their communities.