Native American Native American ConflictsConflicts

Objective 4.02Objective 4.02

Plains Native Plains Native AmericansAmericans•Hunters and gatherers

•Nomads—followed buffalo•Extended family networks•Spiritual with nature•Given control of plains land by the Treaty of Fort Laramie

•But settlers wanted the land

What is the new policy towards the Native Americans?

• Restrict all Native Americans to designated areas, the railroads were moving on out.

1864- Sand Creek Massacre

Battle of Little Big Battle of Little Big HornHorn

•a.k.a. Custer’s Last Standa.k.a. Custer’s Last Stand•1876—Between Sioux tribe, 1876—Between Sioux tribe, led by Chief Sitting Bull, led by Chief Sitting Bull, and the 7and the 7thth Calvary of the Calvary of the Army, led by Col. George Army, led by Col. George CusterCuster

•Most famous incident in Most famous incident in the Indian Warsthe Indian Wars

• Custer led 200 soldiers against what turned out to be 2,000 to 3,000 Native American warriors, within 25 minutes, Custer and all his men were dead.

The federal government continued to support a policy of assimilation towards the Native

Americans.

What was the purpose of the Dawes Act?

• Aimed to “Americanize” Indians, broke up reservations and gave some to Natives and sold rest to settlers.

Chief Joseph’s Chief Joseph’s SurrenderSurrender

•1855—Chief Joseph’s father, 1855—Chief Joseph’s father, Old Joseph, signed a treaty Old Joseph, signed a treaty that allowed his people to that allowed his people to keep much of their landkeep much of their land

•1863—Another treaty was 1863—Another treaty was signed which reduced the signed which reduced the amount of landamount of land

•1877—A showdown over 1877—A showdown over the second “non-treaty” the second “non-treaty” came after Chief Joseph came after Chief Joseph became the new Chiefbecame the new Chief

•After months of fighting, After months of fighting, Chief Joseph surrendered, Chief Joseph surrendered, forced many of the Nez forced many of the Nez Perce Tribe to be sent to a Perce Tribe to be sent to a reservation in OKreservation in OK

Wounded Knee Wounded Knee MassacreMassacre•““Ghost Dance” on Sioux Ghost Dance” on Sioux

reservations had been bannedreservations had been banned•Dancing continued—1890—Dancing continued—1890—troops were called introops were called in

•Soldiers demanded all firearms Soldiers demanded all firearms •A soldier tried to disarm a deaf A soldier tried to disarm a deaf Native American- firearm went Native American- firearm went offoff

•When Native Americans When Native Americans ran to take cover, the ran to take cover, the troops begin to shoot at troops begin to shoot at them allthem all

•At least 150 were killed At least 150 were killed and another 50 were and another 50 were woundedwounded

U.S. Policy of U.S. Policy of dealing with Native dealing with Native

AmericansAmericans•Movement—Trail of TearsMovement—Trail of Tears•Reservation System—govern Reservation System—govern themselves, take up less themselves, take up less space, control themspace, control them

•Assimilation—give up their Assimilation—give up their culture for the white man’s culture for the white man’s cultureculture

Why assimilation Why assimilation failed…failed…

•Little trainingLittle training•Longed for former way Longed for former way of lifeof life

•Not willing to accept Not willing to accept new lifestylenew lifestyle

Century of DishonorCentury of Dishonor•By Helen Hunt JacksonBy Helen Hunt Jackson•Told of broken promises Told of broken promises and assaults by the U.S.and assaults by the U.S.

•Sparked discussion of Sparked discussion of better treatmentbetter treatment

•1890—Population of Native 1890—Population of Native Americans in U.S. was Americans in U.S. was 250,000250,000

•This was down from a Pre-This was down from a Pre-European population of European population of 10,000,00010,000,000

•97.5% decline in population 97.5% decline in population in 350 yearsin 350 years

The effects…The effects…