Question

32 this photograph shows chiricahua apaches at a boarding school operated by the u.s. government in pennsylvania in the 1880s.
why did the federal government establish boarding schools for american indians?
a to teach american indians about their heritage and tribal history
b to recruit american indian soldiers who could speak in code during wartime
c to force american indians to assimilate into white society
d to train american indian missionaries who could return to their tribes and spread christianity

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Boarding schools for American Indians were not established to teach their heritage; instead, they aimed to suppress it. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: Recruiting code - speaking soldiers (Code Talkers) was a World War - era effort, not related to 1880s boarding schools. So B is incorrect.
• Option C: In the 19th century, the U.S. government's policy towards American Indians included assimilation. Boarding schools were a tool to force American Indians to adopt white - American culture, language, and ways of life, so this option is correct.
• Option D: While some religious groups were involved in education, the primary government - run boarding schools' goal was assimilation, not training missionaries. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. To force American Indians to assimilate into white society