Looking to the West (1860-1900)Looking to the West (1860-1900)

The Life of the Plains IndiansThe Life of the Plains Indians• Eastern settlers changed the lives of N. A. on the Eastern settlers changed the lives of N. A. on the

Great PlainsGreat Plains

• Indians & French traded buffalo hides for guns, Indians & French traded buffalo hides for guns, making hunting easiermaking hunting easier

• Horses made N. A. warfare much more intense and Horses made N. A. warfare much more intense and violentviolent

• Many N. A. became nomads b/c of the horse. Many N. A. became nomads b/c of the horse. Became more mobile to follow food sourcesBecame more mobile to follow food sources

• Warrior societies led to much more violence and Warrior societies led to much more violence and instabilityinstability

Indian Wars and Government Indian Wars and Government PolicyPolicy

• N.A. lived on traditional lands W. of MississippiN.A. lived on traditional lands W. of Mississippi

• N. A. viewed settlers as invaders, Settlers took N. A. viewed settlers as invaders, Settlers took land from N. A. land from N. A. • (Settlers vs. N.A. = invaders vs. owners)(Settlers vs. N.A. = invaders vs. owners)

• Gov’t treaties forced N. A. onto reservationsGov’t treaties forced N. A. onto reservations

• Settlers ignored treatiesSettlers ignored treaties

• Acts of violence led to cycles of revenge. Both Acts of violence led to cycles of revenge. Both sides guilty.sides guilty.

Brutality, Unfulfilled Promises, Brutality, Unfulfilled Promises, and Butcheryand Butchery

• Treaties:Treaties:• Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867• Fort Laramie Treaty (1868)Fort Laramie Treaty (1868)

• Most Indians angered by the treatiesMost Indians angered by the treaties• By 1868, war parties were raiding cities in By 1868, war parties were raiding cities in

Kansas and ColoradoKansas and Colorado• In response, army troops killed any Indians In response, army troops killed any Indians

who refused to stay on reservationswho refused to stay on reservations

Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867•The Medicine Lodge Treaty is the overall name for The Medicine Lodge Treaty is the overall name for three treaties signed between the United States three treaties signed between the United States government and southern Plains Indian tribes in government and southern Plains Indian tribes in October 1867October 1867

•Under the Medicine Lodge Treaty, the tribes were Under the Medicine Lodge Treaty, the tribes were assigned reservations of diminished size compared to assigned reservations of diminished size compared to territories defined in an 1865 treatyterritories defined in an 1865 treaty

•  the Congress effectively further reduced their the Congress effectively further reduced their reservation territoryreservation territory

Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)•In the treaty, as part of the U.S. vendetta to "divide and In the treaty, as part of the U.S. vendetta to "divide and conquer", the U.S. included all Ponca lands in the Great Sioux conquer", the U.S. included all Ponca lands in the Great Sioux Reservation. Reservation.

•Conflict between the Ponca and the Sioux/Lakota, who now Conflict between the Ponca and the Sioux/Lakota, who now claimed the land as their own by U.S. law, forced the U.S. to claimed the land as their own by U.S. law, forced the U.S. to remove the Ponca from their own ancestral lands in Nebraska remove the Ponca from their own ancestral lands in Nebraska to poor land in Oklahoma.to poor land in Oklahoma.

•The treaty includes an article intended to "ensure the The treaty includes an article intended to "ensure the civilization“…civilization“…•minors should be provided with an "English education" at a minors should be provided with an "English education" at a "mission building.""mission building."

Key Events in the Indian Wars, Key Events in the Indian Wars, 1861-18901861-1890

Native AmericanNative AmericanNations/HomelandsNations/Homelands

Key PlayersKey Players Description/OutcomeDescription/Outcome

Apache and Navajo Apache and Navajo Wars (1861-1886)Wars (1861-1886)

Apache in Arizona, New Apache in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado territories; Mexico, and Colorado territories; Navajo in New Mexico, Navajo in New Mexico, Colorado territoriesColorado territories

• GeronimoGeronimo• Col. Christopher Col. Christopher

“Kit” Carson“Kit” Carson

Carson kills or relocates many Apache to Carson kills or relocates many Apache to reservations in 1862. Clashes drag on until reservations in 1862. Clashes drag on until Geronmino’s surrender in 1886. Navajo told to Geronmino’s surrender in 1886. Navajo told to surrender in 1863, but before they can, Carson surrender in 1863, but before they can, Carson attacks, killing hundreds, destroying homelands. attacks, killing hundreds, destroying homelands. Navajos moved to New Mexico reservation in 1865.Navajos moved to New Mexico reservation in 1865.

Sand Creek Sand Creek Massacre (1864)Massacre (1864)

Southern Cheyeene, Arapaho, in Southern Cheyeene, Arapaho, in central plainscentral plains

• Black KettleBlack Kettle• Col. John Col. John

ChivingtonChivington

Cheyenne massacres prompt Chivington to kill up to Cheyenne massacres prompt Chivington to kill up to 500 surrendered Cheyenne and Arapaho led by Black 500 surrendered Cheyenne and Arapaho led by Black Kettle.Kettle.

Red River War Red River War (1874-1875)(1874-1875)

Comanche and southern Comanche and southern branches of Cheyenne, Kiowa, branches of Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Arapaho, in southern plainsand Arapaho, in southern plains

• Comanche war Comanche war partiesparties

• Gen. William T. Gen. William T. ShermanSherman

• Lt. Gen. Philip Lt. Gen. Philip H. SheridanH. Sheridan

Southern plains Indians relocated to Oklahoma Southern plains Indians relocated to Oklahoma Indian Territory under 1867 Treaty of Medicin Indian Territory under 1867 Treaty of Medicin Lodge. After buffalo hunters destroy the Indians Lodge. After buffalo hunters destroy the Indians food supply, Comanche warriors race to buffalo food supply, Comanche warriors race to buffalo grazing areas in Texas panhandle to kill hunters. grazing areas in Texas panhandle to kill hunters. Sherman and Sheridan defeat warriors and open Sherman and Sheridan defeat warriors and open panhandle to cattle ranching.panhandle to cattle ranching.

Wars/BattlesWars/Battles

Key Events in the Indian Wars, Key Events in the Indian Wars, 1861-18901861-1890

Wars/BattlesWars/Battles Native AmericanNative AmericanNations/HomelandsNations/Homelands

Key PlayersKey Players Description/OutcomeDescription/Outcome

Battle of Little Battle of Little Bighorn (1876)Bighorn (1876)

Northern plains Sioux in Northern plains Sioux in Dakota, Wyoming, and Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana territorriesMontana territorries

• Sitting BullSitting Bull• Crazy HorseCrazy Horse• Red CloudRed Cloud• Lt. Col. GeorgeLt. Col. George A. CusterA. Custer

U.S. tries to buy gold-rich Black Hills from Sioux. U.S. tries to buy gold-rich Black Hills from Sioux. Talks fail. Custer’s 7th Cavalry is sent to round Talks fail. Custer’s 7th Cavalry is sent to round up Sioux, but meets huge enemy force. Custer and up Sioux, but meets huge enemy force. Custer and some 200 men perish in “Custer’s Last Stand.”some 200 men perish in “Custer’s Last Stand.”

Nez Perce War Nez Perce War (1877)(1877)

Largest branch of Nez Perce, in Largest branch of Nez Perce, in Wallowa Valley of Idaho and Wallowa Valley of Idaho and Washington territories and Washington territories and OregonOregon

• Chief JosephChief Joseph• Gen. Oliver O. Gen. Oliver O.

HowardHoward• Col. Nelson Col. Nelson

MilesMiles

Howard orders Nez Perce to Idaho reservation; Howard orders Nez Perce to Idaho reservation; violence erupts. Joseph leads some 700 men, violence erupts. Joseph leads some 700 men, women, and children on 1,400-mile flight. His 200 women, and children on 1,400-mile flight. His 200 warriors hold off Miles’s 2,000 soldiers until warriors hold off Miles’s 2,000 soldiers until halted 40 miles short of Canada. Sent to Indian halted 40 miles short of Canada. Sent to Indian Territory, many die of disease. In 1885, survivors Territory, many die of disease. In 1885, survivors moved to reservation in Washington Territory.moved to reservation in Washington Territory.

Battle of Wounded Battle of Wounded Knee (1890)Knee (1890)

Sioux at Pine Ridge Sioux at Pine Ridge Reservation, South DakotaReservation, South Dakota

• Sitting BullSitting Bull• U.S. 7thU.S. 7th CavalryCavalry

Ghost Dance raises fears of Sioux uprising; Ghost Dance raises fears of Sioux uprising; Sitting Bull killed in attempted arrest. His Sitting Bull killed in attempted arrest. His followers surrender and camp at Wounded Knee. followers surrender and camp at Wounded Knee. Shots are fired; some 200 Sioux die.Shots are fired; some 200 Sioux die.

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Warring SiouxWarring Sioux• Several Sioux tribes fought to stay on Several Sioux tribes fought to stay on

their land and protect their hunting their land and protect their hunting groundsgrounds• Raided settlements and harassed minersRaided settlements and harassed miners

• Sitting BullSitting Bull• Leader of non-treaty SiouxLeader of non-treaty Sioux

• Strong fighting expertiseStrong fighting expertise

Rising Tensions Rising Tensions in the Westin the West

Sand Creek (1864)Sand Creek (1864)

••US army massacredUS army massacredCheyenne, ArapahoeCheyenne, ArapahoeOlder men, women, Older men, women, And children.And children.••Eastern ColoradoEastern Colorado

General George Armstrong CusterGeneral George Armstrong Custer

• General in the Civil WarGeneral in the Civil War

• Infamous Indian fighter Infamous Indian fighter during the Sioux Warsduring the Sioux Wars

• Wanted to find gold in Black Wanted to find gold in Black HillsHills

• Defeated in the Battle at Defeated in the Battle at Little Bighorn (1876)Little Bighorn (1876)

The Sioux Wars were a series of The Sioux Wars were a series of conflicts between the United conflicts between the United

States and various subgroups of States and various subgroups of the Sioux people that occurred in the the Sioux people that occurred in the

later half of the 19th century.later half of the 19th century.

The Sioux WarsThe Sioux Wars

Sitting BullSitting Bull

•  was a holy man who led his people as was a holy man who led his people as a tribal chief during years of a tribal chief during years of resistance to United States government resistance to United States government policies.policies.

•Sitting Bull's leadership motivated his Sitting Bull's leadership motivated his people to a major victory.people to a major victory.

•He was killed by Indian agency He was killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Indian police on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation during an attempt to Reservation during an attempt to arrest himarrest him

Little BighornLittle Bighorn• Army moved to assault roaming Army moved to assault roaming

Sioux in 1876Sioux in 1876

• 600 troops marched on Little Bighorn 600 troops marched on Little Bighorn RiverRiver

• Custer separated his men and sent Custer separated his men and sent half of his forces straight into half of his forces straight into battlebattle

• This group and the rest were This group and the rest were wiped out by Cheyenne and Siouxwiped out by Cheyenne and Sioux

• Defeat angered the army who became Defeat angered the army who became even more ruthlesseven more ruthless

Battle of the Little Bighorn Battle of the Little Bighorn (Custer’s Last Stand)(Custer’s Last Stand)

The Little Bighorn todayThe Little Bighorn today

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Wounded Knee CreekWounded Knee Creek• The Ghost DanceThe Ghost Dance• In honor of WovokaIn honor of Wovoka

• December 29, 1890December 29, 1890• Seventh cavalry was sent to round up a Seventh cavalry was sent to round up a

group of Indians at Wounded Knee group of Indians at Wounded Knee when an ‘excited’ Indian fired a shotwhen an ‘excited’ Indian fired a shot

• The soldiers then open firedThe soldiers then open fired• More than 300 Indians killed in minutesMore than 300 Indians killed in minutes

““Saving” the IndiansSaving” the Indians• More and more Americans disagreed with More and more Americans disagreed with

Government Indian policiesGovernment Indian policies• The Women’s National Indian Rights AssociationThe Women’s National Indian Rights Association• Century of Dishonor Century of Dishonor by Helen Hunt Jacksonby Helen Hunt Jackson

• They thought breaking up the reservations and They thought breaking up the reservations and assimilating the Indians into society was the assimilating the Indians into society was the best thingbest thing• Dawes Severalty ActDawes Severalty Act

• Gave individuals acreages Gave individuals acreages of land and made them of land and made them citizens of the U.S.citizens of the U.S.

Attempts to Change Native Attempts to Change Native American CultureAmerican Culture

• Many people believed that Native Americans needed to give up their traditions Many people believed that Native Americans needed to give up their traditions and culture, learn English, become Christians, adopt white dress and customs, and culture, learn English, become Christians, adopt white dress and customs, and support themselves by farming and trades.and support themselves by farming and trades.

• This policy is called assimilation, the process by which one society becomes a This policy is called assimilation, the process by which one society becomes a part of another, more dominant society by adopting its culture.part of another, more dominant society by adopting its culture.

• In 1887 the Dawes Act divided reservation land into individual plots. Each In 1887 the Dawes Act divided reservation land into individual plots. Each family headed by a man received 160 acres. family headed by a man received 160 acres.

• Many Native Americans did not believe in the concept of individual property, Many Native Americans did not believe in the concept of individual property, nor did they want to farm the land. For some, the practices of farming went nor did they want to farm the land. For some, the practices of farming went against their notion of ecology. Some had no experience in agriculture.against their notion of ecology. Some had no experience in agriculture.

• Between 1887 and 1932, some two thirds of this land became white owned.Between 1887 and 1932, some two thirds of this land became white owned.

Assimilation and the Indian SchoolsAssimilation and the Indian Schools• Carlisle, PA, other sites around Carlisle, PA, other sites around

the U.S.the U.S.

• Genoa, NebraskaGenoa, Nebraska

• Attempted to ‘save the Indian’ Attempted to ‘save the Indian’ by making them assimilate into by making them assimilate into American culture, manners American culture, manners and customsand customs

• Formed by people who Formed by people who empathized with the plight of empathized with the plight of the Indians and wanted a the Indians and wanted a “humanitarian” solution“humanitarian” solution

Before and AfterBefore and After

The Opening of Indian TerritoryThe Opening of Indian Territory• Fifty five Indian nations were forced into Fifty five Indian nations were forced into

Indian Territory, the largest unsettled Indian Territory, the largest unsettled farmland in the United States.farmland in the United States.

• During the 1880s, squatters overran the During the 1880s, squatters overran the land, and Congress agreed to buy out the land, and Congress agreed to buy out the Indian claims to the region.Indian claims to the region.

• On April 22, 1889, tens of thousands of On April 22, 1889, tens of thousands of homesteaders lined up at the territory’s homesteaders lined up at the territory’s borders to stake claims on the land.borders to stake claims on the land.

The Opening of Indian TerritoryThe Opening of Indian Territory• By sundown, settlers called boomers had staked By sundown, settlers called boomers had staked

claims on almost 2 million acres.claims on almost 2 million acres.

• Many boomers discovered that some of the best Many boomers discovered that some of the best lands had been grabbed by sooners, people who lands had been grabbed by sooners, people who had sneaked past the government officials earlier to had sneaked past the government officials earlier to mark their claims.mark their claims.

• Under continued pressure from settlers, Congress Under continued pressure from settlers, Congress created Oklahoma Territory in 1890. In the created Oklahoma Territory in 1890. In the following years, the remainder of Indian Territory following years, the remainder of Indian Territory was open to settlement.was open to settlement.

Oklahoma Land Rush (1889)Oklahoma Land Rush (1889)• Oklahoma was “Indian Territory” given to the Oklahoma was “Indian Territory” given to the

five civilized tribes.five civilized tribes.

• They sided with the Confederacy, the They sided with the Confederacy, the government took land as punishmentgovernment took land as punishment

• 2 million acres free for settlement2 million acres free for settlement

• Free land was considered instant prosperity, but Free land was considered instant prosperity, but droughts would make many farms faildroughts would make many farms fail

By 1900By 1900• Most Indians had been driven onto Most Indians had been driven onto

reservationsreservations

• Reduced from 1/4 million to 1 hundred Reduced from 1/4 million to 1 hundred thousandthousand

• The culture still survivesThe culture still survives

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?