INDIANS! chapter 7, section 2

INDIANS! Actually, this is India. (Don’t get confused.)

Introduction Americans are moving west Americans are moving west Why? LAND! Why? LAND! –Pacific Railway Act –Homestead Act –Morrill Land-Grant Act All this land, and it’s all ours! All this land, and it’s all ours!

Oh, yeah - Indians Who were they? Who were they? – Initially farmers, until Spanish horses – Became nomadic – 1830s – Andrew Jackson moves all Indians west of Mississippi River (supposed to be permanent) – 2/3 of Indians already lived in GP. Now there’s a lot more.

Nomads

Great Plains

The Indian Problem What do you do about the Indians? What do you do about the Indians? Why do we have difficulties? Why do we have difficulties? – Different concept of land. We want to “honor” the land the way we know how. – Treaties were difficult. Indian reps didn’t represent well. Didn’t always understand the treaty.

The Indian Wars We thought it would be quick. It would last several decades. We thought it would be quick. It would last several decades. Why did it take so long? Disease took its toll on the Indians. The decimation of the buffalo, too. Why did it take so long? Disease took its toll on the Indians. The decimation of the buffalo, too. But there were several significant battles.... But there were several significant battles....

Early Battles 1864 Colorado militia massacred an encampment of Cheyenne women, children, and men at Sand Creek, Colorado Colorado militia massacred an encampment of Cheyenne women, children, and men at Sand Creek, Colorado During the Sioux War, an army column under Captain William Fetterman was wiped out by Sioux warriors During the Sioux War, an army column under Captain William Fetterman was wiped out by Sioux warriors.

Treaties More treaties were attempted, which put the Indians on even smaller reservations. More treaties were attempted, which put the Indians on even smaller reservations. But gold miners refused to stay off the land. More fighting ensues…. But gold miners refused to stay off the land. More fighting ensues….

Little Bighorn Many tribes were in rebellion. Civil War hero George Custer was to finish them off. Many tribes were in rebellion. Civil War hero George Custer was to finish them off. He invades sacred Sioux grounds, and rushes ahead of other army regiments to Little Bighorn. He invades sacred Sioux grounds, and rushes ahead of other army regiments to Little Bighorn. 2,000 Sioux warriors cut him off. 200 soldiers dead in 1 hour. 2,000 Sioux warriors cut him off. 200 soldiers dead in 1 hour.

This was Custer’s Last Stand

Wounded Knee Messianic prophecies spread. The Ghost Dance religion forms. Messianic prophecies spread. The Ghost Dance religion forms. – Big circle of Indians, shaking / dancing. – Submission until Messiah delivers. This scares settlers. Their leader, Sitting Bull, is arrested. This scares settlers. Their leader, Sitting Bull, is arrested. Sitting Bull hesitates. The soldiers shoot him. Sitting Bull hesitates. The soldiers shoot him.

Wounded Knee Sitting Bull’s followers follow the soldiers to surrender (submission). Sitting Bull’s followers follow the soldiers to surrender (submission). During disarmament, shots are fired – MASSACRE! 200 of 350 Indians are killed. (and about 25 American soldiers) During disarmament, shots are fired – MASSACRE! 200 of 350 Indians are killed. (and about 25 American soldiers) This was the last armed battle of the Indian Wars. This was the last armed battle of the Indian Wars.

Assimilation What’s next? Assimilation into American society What’s next? Assimilation into American society Helen Hunt Jackson chronicles Indian tragedies in her book, A Century of Dishonor Helen Hunt Jackson chronicles Indian tragedies in her book, A Century of Dishonor

Assimilation General assimilation Bring them to civilization give up their traditions learn English Christianity white dress & customs learn a trade General assimilation Bring them to civilization give up their traditions learn English Christianity white dress & customs learn a trade Dawes Act of 1887 Dawes Act of 1887

Assimilation General assimilationGeneral assimilation Dawes Act of 1887 Dawes Act of 1887 –Breaks up tribal organizations –Offers 160 acres to individual families –After 25 years on the land, they become US citizens. (if they have adopted the habits of civilized life)

Conclusion Not successful Indians did not join the American mainstream. Not successful Indians did not join the American mainstream. By the end of the century, disease and poverty had reduced the Indian population to just 200,000. By the end of the century, disease and poverty had reduced the Indian population to just 200,000.