Question

Explain the belief that if Native Americans learned to read and accept the ways of white American society, there would be no need for reservations. This led to white agents at reservations encouraging Native Americans to give up old traditions and send their children to white schools where Native American children were taught that their culture was inferior to that of whites.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The belief in Native American assimilation into white American society, prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries, aimed to eliminate reservations. This view asserted that Native American cultures were inferior and incompatible with the more "civilized" white society. To achieve assimilation, policies were enacted that forcibly removed Native American children from their families and sent them to boarding schools, where they were taught to adopt white customs. Indigenous languages and traditions were discouraged, leading to cultural erosion. Land allotment, relocation, and suppression of cultural practices furthered these efforts. The consequences were profound, causing cultural disintegration and social disruption. Today, efforts focus on preserving and revitalizing Native American cultures and acknowledging historical injustices.