The General Allotment Act (Dawes Act) sought to assimilate tribes by breaking up the ownership of the land and integrating tribal people into the Nation, with, or without consent. Specifically, the act:

• Enabled the President to allot small parcels of tribal lands to individual Indians.
• Authorized the Federal Government to hold land in trust for 25 years or more to prevent transfer of the land.
• Authorized the United States to sell lands left after allotment.
• Subjected allottees to State civil and criminal jurisdiction.
• Extended U.S. citizenship to allottees.