Assimilation policies

Definition

Assimilation policies are strategies implemented by a dominant culture to encourage or force minority groups to adopt the customs, values, and behaviors of the majority. These policies often aimed at erasing the distinct identities of marginalized communities and integrating them into the prevailing social framework, which in this context, relates to the broader influence of Anglo-American settlers and their governance in the territory.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Assimilation policies were heavily influenced by the belief in Anglo-American superiority during the territorial expansion into New Mexico and other western regions.
2. The U.S. government established schools aimed at assimilating Native American children by teaching them English and European customs while forbidding their native languages and traditions.
3. Policies such as the Dawes Act sought to break up communal tribal lands into individual plots, encouraging private ownership and furthering assimilation into American society.
4. Assimilation efforts often included religious missions that aimed to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity, further promoting cultural integration.
5. The impact of these policies led to significant social upheaval for Indigenous communities, resulting in loss of cultural identity, land, and traditional ways of life.

Review Questions

• How did assimilation policies reflect the attitudes of Anglo-American settlers toward Indigenous cultures in New Mexico?
  • Assimilation policies were rooted in the belief that Anglo-American culture was superior, leading settlers to view Indigenous cultures as obstacles to progress. Settlers implemented these policies with the intent to erase native identities and integrate Indigenous peoples into mainstream American society. The establishment of schools and land reforms was a direct response to this perception, as they aimed at transforming Indigenous lifestyles to conform with Anglo-American norms.
• Evaluate the effects of assimilation policies on Native American communities during the territorial period in New Mexico.
  • The effects of assimilation policies on Native American communities were profound and often devastating. These policies disrupted traditional ways of life, eroded cultural practices, and led to significant population displacements. The enforced adoption of English language and European customs created a disconnect between generations, as younger members struggled to navigate between their heritage and imposed identities. Ultimately, assimilation led to lasting changes that altered the social fabric of Native communities.
• Synthesize how assimilation policies contributed to the broader narrative of American expansionism and its long-term impacts on Indigenous sovereignty.
  • Assimilation policies were integral to the narrative of American expansionism, as they sought to not only acquire land but also reshape the identities of those who inhabited it. By systematically undermining Indigenous sovereignty through cultural erasure and land allotment practices, these policies reinforced notions of Manifest Destiny and justified territorial conquests. The long-term impacts are still evident today, as many Indigenous communities continue to navigate the complexities of identity and sovereignty amidst historical trauma stemming from these assimilation efforts.

Related terms

Cultural Erasure: The process through which a dominant culture systematically diminishes or eliminates the cultural practices and identities of minority groups.

Land Grants:

Legal allocations of land provided to settlers, often leading to the displacement of Indigenous populations and furthering assimilation efforts.

Manifest Destiny:

The 19th-century doctrine that it was the divine right of Americans to expand westward across North America, justifying the assimilation of Indigenous peoples.