Cultures clash on the Prairie The cattle industry boomed in the late 1800’s, as the culture of the Plains Indians declined.

The Horse and The Buffalo Introduction to the horse led to more efficient hunting and larger hunting grounds.

Buffalo Were the life supply for the Plains Indians. They provided food, shelter, clothing, shoes and blankets.

The role of Women in a tribe. Helped butcher the game and prepared the hides of Buffalo. They defended their land when the men were away.

Guns or Rifles Allowed the Native American to hunt more efficiently and made a tribe much more powerful.

Sand Creek Massacre November 29, 1864 Over 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho women and children were murdered.

Col. John Chivington Received orders to attack at Sandcreek.

Sitting Bull 1831-1890 He was a warrior, spiritual leader, medicine man and chief of the Hunkpapa Sioux.

Crazy Horse 1849-1877 Chief of the Oglala Lakota whose tribe joined Sitting Bull at Little Big Horn.

The Bozeman Trail Ran directly through Sioux hunting grounds in the Bighorn Mountains. The Sioux Chief Red Cloud tried in vain to have the government stop the whites from settling on the trail. December 1866 Crazy Horse ambushed Capt. William J. Fetterman and his army at Lodge Trail Ridge.

Capt. William J. Fetterman (1833-1866) Captain of the 18th U.S. infantry. He was killed at what was known as the Fetterman Massacre. Over eighty soldiers were killed. Native Americans called it “The Battle of the Hundred Slain.

The Treaty Of Fort Laramie 1868 Was the Governments answer to stop the attacks along the Bozeman trail. The trail was closed to settlers In return the Sioux had to agree to live on a reservation along the Missouri River by signing a contract. The Ogala and Brule Sioux signed the treaty. Sitting Bull did not.

Red River 1868 Kiowa and Comanche tribes began raiding white settlers along the Red River. Lonewolf Kiowa Chief Quannah Parker Comanche Chief Mow-Way Comanche Chief

Red River War 1874-1875 General Philip Sheridan gave the orders to “destroy their villages and ponies, to kill and hang all warriors, and to bring back all women and children.”

Calvary Charge on the Southern Plains

Where the Red River Battles took place.

Colonel George A. Custer 1839-1876 Was the leader of the 7th Calvary. When he claimed there was gold in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the gold rush was on.

Red Cloud and Spotted Tail These two chiefs of the Sioux appealed to the government officials in Washington but were unsuccessful. Spotted Tail Chief of the Brule Sioux Red Cloud Chief of the Lakota Sioux

Early June 1876 The Sioux and Cheyenne held a Sun Dance. During the dance Sitting Bull had a vision of soldiers and some Native Americans falling from their horses. When Custer and his troops reached Little Big Horn, the Native Americans were ready.

Battle of Little Big Horn Crazy Horse Gall Sioux Chief Sitting Bull

The Battle of Little Big Horn

Dawes Act 1887 Was passed by Congress in 1887. The goal was to Americanize the Native Americans. The act broke up the reservations and gave some of the reservation land to individual Native Americans. 160 acres to each head of household, 80 to each unmarried adult. This broke up the Tribe system.

The Battle of Wounded Knee December 28, 1890 The 7th cavalry rounded up 350 starving and freezing Sioux and took them to camp at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. The next day they demanded the Native American’s weapons. Someone fired a shot. The soldiers opened their cannons, within minutes 300 unarmed Native Americans were slaughtered. This brought the Indian wars to an end.

The bodies of the dead Indians were left on the frozen ground to rot in the Spring and to be devoured by animals.