Conflict with Native Americans

1. Conflict with Native Americans Chapter 11, Section 2

2. Cultures Under Pressure • Though there were many tribes present on the Plains, they all shared a common idea– that they were a part of nature and nature was sacred. • Starting with the Trail of Tears, Native Americans were forced to move to accommodate settlers. • They were forced to live on separate reservations, specific land set aside by the government for the Native Americans’ use. • The Native Americans were also hurt by the introduction of diseases and the destruction of the buffalo herds.

3. Clashes with Native Americans • Tensions existed between settlers and the Native Americans because of the settlers’ desire for land. When Native Americans did not want to move, and treaties were broken by the government, tension arose. • In 1864, John Chivington and his men opened fire on unarmed Cheyenne at Sand Creek. His men then went on to mutilate the bodies. • The Sand Creek Massacre sparked anger from the Plains Indians towards the settlers.

4. End of the Indian Wars • Red River War • Series of battles ultimately leading to the defeat of the powerful southern Plains tribes. • Buffalo hunters would not stay off Native American land • The government failed to provide the promised food and supplies.

5. End of the Indian Wars • Battle of Little Big Horn • Conflict over gold in the northern Plains • Sioux, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse attempted to drive out settlers • George Custer arrived ahead of reinforcements and both he and his men were easily defeated.

6. End of the Indian Wars • Battle of Wounded Knee • Religious revival of the Ghost Dance, hoping to bring back the buffalo. • As the movement grew, the government became anxious and ordered the arrest of Sitting Bull • In the confrontation, more than 100 men were killed as the Native Americans fled to Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

7. Assimilation • The U.S. government had a strong desire for Native Americans to assimilate, or adopt the culture and civilization of whites. • In an effort to downgrade the power of the tribes, the U.S. government began recognizing Native Americans as individuals. • The reservation system was replaced by an allotment system. • Each Native American family was granted 160 acres of land, not to be touched for 25 years under the Dawes General Allotment Act. • This was to encourage young Native Americans to take up farming.

8. Transforming the West Chapter 11, Section 3

9. Railroads in the West • There was a growing need for a railroad to transport goods as industries expanded. • The idea of a transcontinental railroad that connected East to West was proposed, but instead of being owned by the government, the U.S. gov expected private citizens to build them. • This was encouraged by loaning money and issuing land grants for stretches of land. • The growth of railroads helped encourage settlement in the West.

10. The Cattle Industry • Before the railroad, cattle had been allowed to roam free on the Plains, not fenced by their owners. • This was known as the open-range system. • Owners would keep track of cattle by branding them. • The railroads made this system impossible, and ranchers were forced to fence in their cattle using barbed wire (a new invention during the time).

11. Farmers Move West • Farmers moved West to take advantage of the open land being offered under the Homestead Act (160 acres). • Exodusters were African Americans who left the South after the Civil War hoping to find profit in the ‘promised land’ of the West. • The government encouraged farming by passing the Morrill Act in 1862 which established agricultural colleges.

12. Prejudice and Discrimination in the West • The West was home to 80% of the country’s minority population. • These differences in language, food, religion and cultural practices created fear and distrust between the groups. • The last major land rush happened in Oklahoma in 1889. • As of 1890, the ‘frontier’ was closed, as every square mile had an inhabitant.