Chapter 5 Section 1

 Many tribes had established themselves on the Great Plains before settlers moved westward Osage & Iowa were farmers/planters Sioux & Cheyenne were nomadic hunters/gatherers  The buffalo became the main interest of all tribes after horses and guns were introduced. Buffaloes were used for food, shelter, clothing & blankets  The Native Americans lived in small extended family groups with ties to others that shared a similar language Believed in spirits (controlled events in the natural world) Children learned proper behavior through stories, myths, games & good examples Leaders of tribes ruled by counsel rather than by force

 The greatest difference in culture was that white settlers believed in staking a claim on the land (own it, mine it, start a business on it). Native Americans roamed and lived off the land (no one could own the land).  For many white settlers the lure of gold and silver was to strong for them (Strike it rich quick!)  The government will step in and create treaties with the tribes. These treaties assigned each tribe to a certain area of land (reservation). Most Native Americans ignored the treaties—tragic results would follow  Dawes Act (1887)- broke up large reservations and attempted to “Americanize” (assimilation) the Native Americans (160 acres to head of household/80 acres if unmarried) Remaining land the government sold to white settlers.

 Massacre at Sand Creek- Responding to attacks by N.A., U.S. troops assault Cheyenne in a dawn attack killing 150 (including many women & children)  Bozeman Trail- Sioux led by Crazy Horse ambush American soldiers killing 80.  Red River War- Kiowa & Comanche raided friendly tribes forcing the U.S. Army to enter. The order was to kill/hang all warriors. This tactic will crush resistance on the southern plains  Custer’s Last Stand – At little Bighorn, Custer and his men are crushed by a much larger Indian force led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse  Battle of Wounded Knee- 350 starving Sioux brought to a camp by soldiers. Sioux were told to give up their weapons, shots fired, within minutes 300 Sioux dead

 American settlers were unaccustomed to managing large herds… The Mexican vaquero taught them how to: Round them up on the range Rope & brand the cattle (longhorns) Care for the herds  Because of the high demand for beef back East, cattle trails began forming over the plains to help get cattle to the rail lines and on to stockyards of Chicago, Kansas City and St. Louis.  The cattle drives often lasted over 3 months and involved 1000s of head of cattle. The group included- cowboys, a wrangler, a cook & a trail boss.  Ultimately the open range would end because of overgrazing and the invention of barbed wire.