Indian Landholdings Fell From 138 Million Acres in 1887 to 48 Million Acres in 1934 Under the Allotment System
The Fact
The Bureau of Indian Affairs states that the allotment system begun under the General Allotment (Dawes) Act of 1887 caused a 'severe reduction in the quantity of Indian landholdings from 138 million acres in 1887 to 48 million acres in 1934.' The policy was ended by the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
What This Means
Tribes lost about 90 million acres — roughly two of every three acres they held — in under 50 years. That's close to the size of Montana.
Why It Matters
Land was the main asset tribes had to build wealth and pass it down. Losing two-thirds of it in one lifetime shaped everything that came after.
Sources
Bureau of Indian Affairs. Indian Reorganization Act overview (idc2-040846). https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/assets/public/pdf/idc2-040846.pdf
(Acres lost and share calculated by The Broadside; Montana is about 94 million acres per the U.S. Census Bureau land area.)
Related Facts
- How Many Cherokee Were Forced Out on the Trail of Tears? More Than 16,000. About 4,000 Died.
- How Many Children Died at Federal Indian Boarding Schools? At Least 973.
- When Did Native Americans Get to Vote? Citizenship in 1924 — Some States Held Out Until 1957.
- How Many Native Children Were Taken From Their Families Before 1978? 25% to 35%.