How we cite our quotes: (Section.Sentence)
Quote #1
An Act to provide for the allotment of lands in severalty to Indians on the various reservations […] (1.2).
In severalty. That's the key phrase here. Up until the Dawes Act, the Native Americans who were already forced to live on reservations had continued to live like they always had, just somewhere else. But by allotting land to individuals, and then legally forcing them to farm it for themselves – separately – the Act was erasing one of the foundations of the traditional Native American lifestyle.
Quote #2
[…] to extend the protection of the laws of the United States and the Territories over the Indians […] (1.2).
Here's the second whammy in that opening statement. Not only were we going to change the way they make their living, we were also going to make them American citizens. No more tribal law, and for their own "protection." Did they want to be citizens? Who cares?
Quote #3
That upon the approval of the allotments provided for in this act by the Secretary of the Interior, he shall cause patents to issue therefor in the name of the allottees, […] and declare that the United States does and will hold the land thus allotted, for the period of twenty-five years, in trust for the sole use and benefit of the Indian to whom such allotment shall have been made […] (5.1).
We put the italics in there, because that phrase is pretty important. As we've mentioned, Native Americans were "communists." They had traditionally operated with what's best for the group, not individuals. So allotting land and then holding it in trust to make sure that they were following the rules (farming only for oneself) was pretty sneaky.
Quote #4
[…] each and every member of the respective bands or tribes of Indians to whom allotments have been made shall have the benefit of and be subject to the laws, both civil and criminal, of the State or Territory in which they may reside; (6.1)
One thing that works to form your identity is the culture in which you're raised. The rule of law is a huge part of your culture. So, once again, this part of the act was written to break the bond between Native Americans and their tribal laws.
Quote #5
And every Indian born within the territorial limits of the United States to whom allotments shall have been made under the provisions of this act, or under any law or treaty, and every Indian born within the territorial limits of the United States who has voluntarily taken up, within said limits, his residence separate and apart from any tribe of Indians therein, and has adopted the habits of civilized life, is hereby declared to be a citizen of the United States, and is entitled to all the rights, privileges, and immunities of such citizens, whether said Indian has been or not, by birth or otherwise, a member of any tribe of Indians within the territorial limits of the United States without in any manner affecting the right of any such Indian to tribal or other property. (6.2)
The words "adopted the habits of civilized life" tells you all you have to know about the Dawes Act.