LAD #25 Dawes Severalty Act of 1877

The Dawes Act was approved by Congress in February of 1887. The act provided for the relocation of Native Americans to reservations. This was an attempt to "Americanize" Native Americans. Congress believed Native Americans would have a better chance of assimilating into the American society. The act stated that all Natives would be assigned a certain section of land to live off of (these were reservations). The land could be surveyed at anytime. Each person would be appropiated a designated amount of land, the law states. If they were not given reservation land Native Americans were permitted to live elsewhere in the US. This act was only binding for 25 years, and after 25 years the president could make the choice to extend it or kill it. It provides all Natives with being under American law and equal rights. However, the government retained its power to use the land when necessary or helpful for the public.