Dawes Act

/ˈdɔːz ækt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A U.S. federal law enacted in 1887 that aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments.
    The Dawes Act resulted in the loss of tribal landholdings and reshaped Native American land ownership.

Forms

  • dawes act

Commentary

The Dawes Act is frequently discussed in the context of U.S. federal Indian policy and property law, highlighting shifts from collective to individual land ownership among Native Americans.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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