tx history-ch-16.3

Chapter 16: Western Expansion and Conflict

Section 3: The Texas Rangers & American Indians

Conflicts on the Frontier

•Settlers moving westward

•Movement onto American Indian lands

•Frontier settlers ask for government assistance

Conflicts on the Frontier

•Federal government responsible for Indian conflicts

•Contradictory policies

•Infantry troops no match for expert horse riders

Conflicts on the Frontier

•Gov. Wood calls out the Texas Rangers

•Rangers had horses

•Rangers so effective they were paid by the federal government

Conflicts on the Frontier

•The Colt Six-Shooter gave Texas Rangers a powerful advantage in battles against the Comanche and Kiowa.

Establishing Frontier Forts

• Federal government established a line of forts

Establishing Frontier Forts

•Forts protected settlers and travelers

•Especially important after discovery of gold in California

•Army abandoned forts as settlers pushed past them

Establishing Frontier Forts

•Fort Worth was abandoned by the army after settlers moved past it, deeper into the frontier

Establishing Frontier Forts

•Forts ineffective:

–Too far apart

–Too few troops

–Too few supplies

–Settlers went past

The Reservation Policy

•Reservations—areas of land set aside for American Indians

•Many Plains Indians continued to live outside reservations

•Conflict continued

The Removal of Texas Indians

•Settlers living near reservations claimed Indians stole

•Formed vigilante groups

•Indians removed to Indian Territory (Oklahoma)

The Removal of Texas Indians

•Robert S. Neighbors—U.S. Indian agent who disagreed with federal policy

Robert S. Neighbors

The Removal of Texas Indians

•Alabama-Coushatta—Indians whose right to remain in Texas was recognized by the state government

•Aided during the Texas Revolution

The Removal of Texas Indians

1. Alabama-Coushatta Reservation

2. Kickapoo Reservation

3. Tigua Reservation Locations of Texas

Indian Reservations