The act was designed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by forcing them to adopt the values of private property and individual ownership. It also aimed to reduce the size of Native American reservations, which were seen as a barrier to white settlement and development.
The act had a number of negative consequences for Native Americans. It led to the loss of millions of acres of land and the destruction of traditional ways of life. It also contributed to the widespread poverty and unemployment among Native Americans.
Despite its negative consequences, the Dawes Severalty Act was seen by many as a step forward in the assimilation of Native Americans into American society. It paved the way for the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted full citizenship to Native Americans.