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The assimilation of the Native Americans was an effort by the United States to change the Native American culture to European-American culture during the years of 1790–1920. The Dawes Act of 1887, which took tribal lands in separation to individuals, was seen as a way to create individual homesteads for Native Americans. Land deals were made in exchange for Native Americans' becoming US citizens and forced give up some forms of tribal self-government and institutions. It resulted in the transfer of an estimated total of 93 million acres from Native American control. Most land was sold to individuals. Learning English language skills and conversion to Christianity were two parts of assimilation. Mission schools provided boarding school training for Native American children. If closer to their homes, the school attracted Indians to live nearby and help their child. If the school was far away, then there were tearful farewells as the child traveled a long distance to a boarding school and might not return home for years. Part of assimilation daily life was these foremost requirements into American society were mastery of the English language. Another important part of assimilation policy was to teach them farming techniques. The girls learned how to cook and clean the house while the boys and men did the farm work and hard labor.