Settlers and Native Americans Moving West Part 2

The westward movement caused conflicts between Native Americans and white settlers. In the early 1830’s, Chief Black Hawk and members of the Sauk and Fox tribes led a rebellion against settlers in Illinois and Wisconsin territories.

The battle ended when the Illinois militia killed 200 Sauk and Fox people. As a result of their defeat, these tribes were forced to move west of the Mississippi River.

As settlers moved west, small numbers of displaced Native Americans occasionally fought them.

In 1851, the United States government signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie with many Native American groups.

The treaty gave Native Americans control of much of the Great Plains and $50,000 a year for fifty years.

In return, the Native Americans also allowed the government to build forts and roads. The United States promised that settlers would stay out of the Native American lands.

But neither side was able to honor the treaty as raids on settlers continued and the U.S. government did not stop settlers from going on Native American land as gold was discovered within the Native American borders.