Western Expansion and Conflict: The Texas Rangers & American Indians Wayne Davidson M.Ed Da Vinci School for Science and the Arts

Conflicts on the Frontier Settlers moving westward Movement onto American Indian lands Frontier settlers ask for government assistance

Conflicts on the Frontier Federal government responsible for Indian conflicts Contradictory policies Infantry troops no match for expert horse riders

Conflicts on the Frontier Gov. Wood calls out the Texas Rangers Rangers had horses Rangers so effective they were paid by the federal government

Conflicts on the Frontier The Colt Six-Shooter gave Texas Rangers a powerful advantage in battles against the Comanche and Kiowa.

Establishing Frontier Forts Federal government established a line of forts

Establishing Frontier Forts Forts protected settlers and travelers Especially important after discovery of gold in California Army abandoned forts as settlers pushed past them

Establishing Frontier Forts Fort Worth was abandoned by the army after settlers moved past it, deeper into the frontier

Establishing Frontier Forts Forts were ineffective because: They were too far apart They had too few troops They had too few supplies Settlers continued settling too far past them.

The Reservation Policy Reservations-areas of land set aside for American Indians Many Plains Indians continued to live outside reservations Conflict continued

The Removal of Texas Indians Settlers living near reservations claimed Indians stole Formed vigilante groups Indians removed to Indian Territory (Oklahoma)

The Removal of Texas Indians Robert S. Neighbors-U.S. Indian agent who disagreed with federal policy. On September 14, 1859 he was shot and killed because of his support for the Indians by a total stranger. Robert S. Neighbors

The Removal of Texas Indians Alabama-Coushatta—Indians whose right to remain in Texas was recognized by the state government Aided during the Texas Revolution

The Removal of Texas Indians Alabama-Coushatta Reservation Kickapoo Reservation Tigua Reservation Locations of Texas Indian Reservations