13.1 Cultures Clash on the Prairies

The Great Plains

Native Americans of the Great Plains

Native Americans of the Great Plains Nomadic Buffalo was essential to their lives: Food Shelter Clothing Warfare Culture

Cultural Interaction The Spanish introduction of horses and guns into New Mexico, and by extension the Great Plains in the 16th & 17th century increased the nomadic behavior of indigenous people. 19th Century – the Louisiana Purchase and the Corps of Discovery meet Natives and explain the “New Great Father” & American settlers begin to push west.

U.S. Government & Great Plains Indian The Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868 The Sioux agree to live on a reservation Sitting Bull never signed the treaty Reservation – land managed by Native Americans under the Indian Affairs Bureau

Indian Reservations

Custer’s Last Stand June, 1876 Little Big Horn, Montana Territory U.S. 7th Cavalry, led by George A. Custer defeated/ “slaughtered” by Indian confederation (Cheyenne, Lakota, Arapaho) The presence of Custer, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull turned Little Big Horn into folklore

Dawes Act 1887 legislation – an attempt to “Americanize” Native Americans through the use of private property and boarding schools. Land in exchange for farm equipment and money. Native Americans receive nothing in exchange for the land.

Buffalo Genocide The U.S. Military targets the extinction of the Buffalo of the Great Plains. 1800 = 65 million 1890 = 1,000

Wounded Knee The rise of the Ghost Dance among the Sioux results in the killing of Sitting Bull U.S. Military (Custer’s 7th Cavalry) kill 300+ Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota