US National Archives
Our Documents: Dawes Act (1887)
Read about the development, purpose, and effect of the Dawes Act, which was also known as the General Allotment Act. This site has images of the original document.
PBS
Pbs the West: The Nez Perce and the Dawes Act
This companion article from the PBS series, "New Perspectives on the West," offers a lesson plan which approaches the Dawes Act from the perspective of the Nez Perce.
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: The Dawes Act
The Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act, was written by Henry Dawes in an attempt to assimilate Native Americans into American culture. Use this site to learn about what propelled Dawes to write this document and how his...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Plight of the Native Americans
Overview of the plight of Native Americans and government policy after Reconstruction in an era of expanding settlement in U.S.
PBS
Pbs Archives of the West: Dawes Act
The text of the famous Dawes Act of 1887 which attempted to provide allotment of lands to Native Americans.
Other
Native American Documents Project
This scholarly project from California State University analyzes the effect of the Dawes Act, or General Allotment Act, which divided Indian lands into individual holdings to promote assimilation by deliberately destroying tribal...
Yale University
Avalon Project: Dawes Act 1887
Offers the text of the Dawes Act of 1887 which attempted to allot land to Native Americans to aid in their assimilation.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: The American West: The Dawes Act
Explains what the impact of the Dawes Act of 1887 was on Native American Indians. Discusses the conflicts between whites and Native Americans that led to its passage and amendments made later. Includes questions for students at end.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1865 1898: The Dawes Act
The 1887 law intended to assimilate Native Americans led to the loss of millions of acres of land.
PBS
Pbs: Archives of the West: Selections From "With the Nez Perces"
Contains selections from "With the Nez Perces: Alice Fletcher in the Field, 1889-92" by E. Jane Gay, which provided an anthropological look at the Nez Perce Indians and their bewilderment at the Dawes Act.
Other
U.s. History on the Web: The Dawes Severalty Act (1887)
Explore how the Dawes Act of 1887 attempted to encourage Native Americans into a life of agriculture and to provide Indian schools which would emphasize agricultural and technical skills.