INDIANS! Topic 2.1

Nomads

Great Plains

Great Plains

The Indian Problem Why do we have difficulties? Different concept of land ownership. 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.

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

Sand Creek Massacre, 1864 500 Men. Women, and Children slaughtered while trying to surrender Colonel Chivington wants a military victory Black Kettle tries to surrender.

Little Bighorn 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. 2,000 Sioux warriors cut him off. 200 soldiers dead in 1 hour (June 25–26, 1876)

This was Custer’s Last Stand

1877- NEZ PERCE INDIANS CHIEF JOSEPH: A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE with THE WHITE MAN. CHIEF JOSEPH

CONFLICT: THE GOVT. BROKE THE TREATY FROM 1866 U.S. TOOK BACK 6 MILLION ACRES. REFUSING TO MOVE TO A SMALLER RESERVATION, CHIEF JOSEPH CHOSE TO FIGHT THE MOVE PLAN WAS TO LEAD HIS TRIBE TO CANADA.

IN 1877 CHIEF JOSEPH WALKED1600 MILES WITH 700 WARRIORS; FIGHTING THEIR WAY OUT OF THE U.S. ARMY FINALLY CAUGHT THEM 30 MILES FROM CANADA. THEY WERE THEN SENT TO RESERVATIONS IN OKLAHOMA

"Tell General Howard I know his heart "Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." Chief Joseph

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

Wounded Knee 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) This was the last armed battle of the Indian Wars.

WHAT ENDED THE INDIANS WAY OF LIFE? 1. THE RAILROAD- BROUGHT THE SOLDIERS, SETTLERS, MINERS, AND BUFFALO HUNTERS. 2. DAWES ACT 1887- FORCE THE INDIAN INTO ACCEPTING THE LIFESTYLE / VALUES OF THE WHITE MAN (Farmers).

Assimilation What’s next? Assimilation into American society We want to AMERICANIZE the Indian

Assimilation General assimilation (Americanization) Bring them to civilization give up their traditions learn English Christianity white dress & customs learn a trade

Opening of the Indian Territory April 22,– the Land Run of 1889 When all western lands were taken, the government opened the only land left, the Oklahoma Indian Territory Boomer Sooner!

Conclusion 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.