LAD 21- Dawes Act

Dawes act was a statement by congress to legally provide Indian lands and to provide reservation lands for all tribes. This divided up Indian land and strictly redistributed the land to the Indians. Indians viewed land as something to be shared and not to be owned by only one man. Several officers were assigned to legally document the division. Contracts were valid for 25 years and made it possible to sell land. Indians were protected by law of the United States if they were born when outside the reservation. Congress was granted the power to use land for public benefits.