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Conflict in the West. Pgs. 257-262. Conflict with the Indians. With the migration of settlers to the West, problems developed between those settling the Great Plains and the Indians who were living there.
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Conflict in the West Pgs. 257-262
Conflict with the Indians • With the migration of settlers to the West, problems developed between those settling the Great Plains and the Indians who were living there. • The United States government had promised these lands to the Indians in a treaty in 1830.
Problem #1 • Railroad workers began killing the Plains’ Indians most important resource – the buffalo. • In 1860 about 15 million buffalo roamed the Plains. • By 1880 fewer than 1,000 were left. • Without buffalo to hunt, the traditional way of life for the Plains Indians came to an end.
Problem #2 • Gold was discovered on the Sioux Indian reservation in the Dakota Territory. • A reservation is land set aside by the government as a home for Native Americans. • Thousands of miners invaded the Sioux land searching for gold. • The U.S. government tried to buy the land, but the Sioux refused to sell.
Problem #2 • In 1876 U.S. soldiers let by Lieutenant Colonel George Custer marched to the Sioux lands. • He attacked the Sioux who were led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. • Custer was quickly surrounded by 2,500 Indians. • Custer and all of his soldiers were killed. The battle was called the Battle of Little Bighorn.
George Custer Crazy Horse Sitting Bull
Problem #3 • The U.S. government used force to move the Nez Perces Indians (NES PER suhz) to a reservation in Idaho. • Chief Joseph refused. The tribe of 800 tried to escape to Canada. • They were caught 40 miles from the border and surrendered.
Problem #4 • By 1880 almost all Indians in the United States had been moved to reservations – except the Apaches. • Led by Chief Geronimo, they fought the longest and hardest not to be moved. • They were moved to a small reservation in Arizona.
Problem #4 • The land was not good for growing food. • The Apaches attacked and killed Arizona settlers. • They escaped capture for 5 years. • Eventually Geronimo surrendered which ended years of war between the Indians and the U.S. government.
Changes for Indians • Once on the reservation, the government tried to change the Indians. • Religion • Farmers (160 acres) • This effort to change did not work. • In 1924 Congress granted citizenship to all Indians. • In 1930 the government gave control of reservation land to the Indians. • Great damage had been done to these people and their culture.