Cultures Clash on the Prairie Chapter 13 Section 1
Plains Indians 200,000 after Civil War Diverse group Tasks divided by gender Nature was significant Weaknesses: unable to unite against whites; vulnerable to disease
Indian Tribes & US Govt Traditionally: * tribes were independent nations * president could negotiate with tribes * treaties were ratified by Senate *** Many broken treaties!
Federal Govt Indian Policy Concentration Policy (1850s) 1. Each tribe assigned its own reservation 2. Easier for govt to control 3. Whites get best land
Indian Peace Commission (1867) To create a permanent Indian policy Move all Plains Indians to 2 reservations (1 in OK & 1 in Dakotas) Govt agents bribed & tricked Indian reps into signing treaties Destruction of buffalo herds
Indian Wars Constant fighting from 1850s to 1880s Indian warriors (30-40) attacked wagon trails, stagecoaches, & ranches
Sand Creek Massacre Eastern CO Nov. 29, 1864 Forces led by Colonel J.M. Chivington massacred over 150 people Indians believed they were under army protection
Gold is Found in the Black Hills (1874) Conflict began over US army trying to build a road (Bozeman Trail) to connect Fort Laramie to new mining centers The trail ran through Sioux hunting grounds & violated a earlier treaty Sioux tried to end the trail & white settlement by appealing to govt – efforts failed
Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) 1875: Sioux led by Crazy Horse & Sitting Bull left reservation Battle took place in southern MT Sioux surprised George A. Custer’s troops & killed all 264
Ghost Dance Part of a spiritual revival movement Scared US military
Wounded Knee Dec 29, 1890 7th Calvary tried to round up 350 Sioux in S. Dakota Fighting broke out 300 Indians died
Dawes Act (1887) Transferred land ownership to individuals; not tribes 160 acres to each family To promote assimilation Applied to western tribes Between 1887-1932: Indians lost over 2/3 of their territory
Bureau of Indian Affairs Carlisle Indian School Sent children to boarding schools Encouraged spread of Christianity Often corrupt & incompetent