The Dawes Act

Voting Crisis 3 ~ Passage of the Dawes Act and the End of the Indian Wars As Western Homesteaders, who happen to be farmers, we strongly stood behind the passage of the Dawes Act and an end to the indian wars. Our reasoning for supporting the Dawes Act was that if the land held by the native Americans was no longer affiliated by tribe, it could be privatized, which would offer us the opportunity of acquiring more land. Furthermore, a reduction of conflict between ourselves and the indians would greatly increase our quality of life, as the constant threat of raids had become a great nuisance. Moreover, as American settlers, we viewed American citizens as more advanced than the uncivilized savages that lived to the West. Therefore, for both

Specifically, Cleveland argued that the act would give Indians the opportunity to adjust to American culture, by allowing them to begin farming their own land. Furthermore, privatization is a sure way to increase output and quality. We wholeheartedly agreed with Cleveland on this point, and felt that the Dawes Act was a solution to a myriad of problems plaguing the Wild West. Therefore, we voted in favor of Grover Cleveland on the subject of the Dawes Act during the third

Wells: We voted against Ida B. Wells, who, similarly to Addams and Woodhull, claimed that the acts represented a view of cultural superiority. However, the acts were something that had to be passed, as the land held by the Indians was not being used in a way that benefited the country, and the Native Americans were being left behind technologically. Wells’ main argument was that the culture and tradition of the Indians was being taken away, yet these are intangible ideas that are passed on by generations, and will survive with the Native American community, no matter if their current state changes. Thus, we voted against Ida B. Wells, whose views were opposite to our own.

Andrew Carnegie: During the third crisis, we voted in favor of Andrew Carnegie, who claimed that the Dawes Act would put an end to the Indian Wars, which we agreed with. Further, Carnegie stated that the Dawes Act was more in line with the Free Market ideology that the United States of America is based upon, and is resonates more with capitalism. Furthermore, Carnegie argued that the Dawes Act would make better use of western land, and open markets for speculation and consumers. Thus, we voted in favor of Andrew Carnegie, who beliefs deeply paralleled our own ideas regarding the Dawes