What was the intent of the federal government's policy toward native american indians, as exemplified by the dawes act?

The Dawes Act ''encourage assimilation of native Americans into the mainstream of American culture''

The act was authorized in 1887 by the President and was amended 1891, 1898 and 1906.

This was in response to the 'Indian Problem' and was eventually responsible for encroaching on Indian lands and the deaths of many people.

The whole idea of the act was to break up Indian tribes and open the land for white settlers.

To this day, it is considered one of the most controversial acts in United States history.