About this Book

"From 1880 to 1900 American Indian policy was dominated by a small group of reformers who wrote and spoke vigorously in favor of acculturating and assimilating the Indians. These white Christian reformers, who called themselves "Friends of the Indian," were determined to break down the tribal structure, culture, and religion of the Indians, thus transforming them into American citizens indistinguishable from their white neighbors. United with like-minded officials of the federal government, the group succeeded in forcing through Congress such legislation as the Dawes General Allotment Act of 1887. This volume compiles forty-seven selections from the extensive literature of the campaign, including writings of Carl Schurz, Henry L. Dawes, Amelia S. Quinton, Herbert Welsh, Lyman Abbott, Richard Henry Patt, James B. Thayer, and Thomas J. Morgan"--Back cover