Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

What was the goal of the Federal Government's policy toward Native Americans in the late 1800s?

1. Destroy tribal bonds and thus weaken their traditional cultural values

2. Give their tribal groups authority over their own affairs outside the law of the government

3. Increase the number of landholdings of the western tribes

4. Grant them full citizenship and as much land as they want

The correct answer is: Destroy tribal bonds and thus weaken their traditional cultural values

The goal of the Federal Government's policy toward Native Americans in the late 1800s was centered on destroying tribal bonds to weaken traditional cultural values. This was primarily evident through various policies aimed at assimilation, such as the Dawes Act of 1887, which sought to break up tribal lands and promote individual land ownership among Native Americans. By doing so, the government aimed to integrate Native Americans into Euro-American society, often disregarding their cultural practices and communal living structures. This approach was rooted in a belief that Native American ways of life were inferior and would hinder their progress into what the government perceived as modern civilization. In contrast, options that suggest granting authority to tribal groups or increasing landholdings do not align with the historical context of the late 1800s. Instead of empowering Native tribes, the focus was on stripping them of their autonomy and communal practices. The notion of granting full citizenship and unrestricted land also reflects a misunderstanding of the policies in place at the time, which instead constrained Native Americans' rights and ownership of land. Therefore, the true aim of the Federal Government was to dismantle tribal cohesion and impose a new cultural framework through assimilation efforts.