Assimilation

The government's policy of assimilation failed mainly because they forced it upon the Indians. They tried to impose one culture on to an entirely different culture. The American culture made no sense to the Indians. If the Americans hadn't militarily forced the Indians to assimilate, but rather let it happen naturally. But people don't like to be bullied around by soldiers toting guns around. The policy created a greater rift, rather than bringing the Indians and Americans closer together.