Indian Wars

Sand Creek Massacre (1864) Indian Wars had been waging for several years In an attempt to maintain peace, two chiefs tried to establish a truce They were advised to fly an American flag over their camp to establish themselves as friendly. On November 29th, 1864, while the majority of the males were out hunting, Civil War leader, Colonel Chivington and his 700 troops attacked the Indian campsite More than a hundred Indians were killed (majority women and children), despite the American flag flying overhead and the raising of a white flag (surrender) after the attack began Chivington and his troops were never charged with any crime

Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868) Was supposed to end Indian Wars Agreement between the United States and the Lakota people signed at Fort Laramie in the Wyoming Territory Guaranteed the Lakota ownership of the Black Hills, and further land and hunting rights in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. The Powder River Country was to be henceforth closed to all whites.

Little Big Horn (1876) Sitting Bull American lieutenant Colonel George Custer (experienced from the Civil War) led around 250 men Up against 2,500 Native Americans, including Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse In the Black Hills of South Dakota Lakota natives had been given reservation land in the area, but when gold was discovered the United States government wanted to take back the land Also known as Custer’s Last Stand because he and his men stood their ground (they all died!) Even though the Indians won the battle, the United States Army sent more troops and eventually tribes were forced off the land Custer Crazy Horse

Wounded Knee (1890) Last major conflict between the U.S. Army and Native Americans One-sided battle Natives believed practicing the “Ghost Dance” would stop white invaders from taking over their land Settlers were worried the Ghost Dance would cause problems Sitting Bull was killed during his arrest U.S. soldiers killed over 200 men, women, and children of the Lakota Indians

Dawes Severalty Act Gave the President power to divide Indian lands and then split them into segments for individual Indians (the amount of this being determined by age, gender, and family status) Also gave the government power to build highways, railroads, and telegraph lines through Indian land.

Assimilation

Indian Assimilation Boarding schools were started to help Indians assimilate into “American” culture