 After Civil War came Reconstruction  The two stage policy Presidential reconstruction, and congressional reconstruction Presidential reconstruction, and congressional reconstruction  Aimed to rebuild and strengthen the country  But what did this mean for Native Americans

 “Bleeding Kansas”  Civil War over time for life to move on  Two senators created a new Reconstructed Kansas  Samuel Pomeroy  James Lane  1862 began the process of passing a bill called  Reconstruction for Indian Territory

Reconstruction for Indian Territory Feb1863  Authorized President to void all treaties between USA and Cherokee Cherokee Choctaw Choctaw Chickasaw Chickasaw Seminole Seminole Muscogee (creek) Muscogee (creek)  And the removal of Native Americans from Kansas

 Commissioner of Indian Affairs Dennis N. Cooley  meeting at Fort Smith, summer 1865  Native Americans in attendance shocked to hear that  government wanted them to vacate Kansas and head to Indian Territory

 Order to release slaves allow freed men and women to become formal members of native nations allow freed men and women to become formal members of native nations  On this point Cherokee split between Ross and Waite Ross and Waite  Other nations used this to argue against making final decision  After 13 days of talks  Cooley signed peace pacts  arranged to reconvene in Washington DC

 1866 Washington DC  Resulting treaties Reduced native land holding greatly Reduced native land holding greatly And their influence over remaining land And their influence over remaining land  Native Americans in Indian Territory forced to give up land for incoming Kansas nations  Government dictated terms. i.e. Seminole sold their lands in Kansas for 15c an acre sold their lands in Kansas for 15c an acre purchased new land in Indian Territory for 50c an acre purchased new land in Indian Territory for 50c an acre

 forced to give right of way through territory  allowed railroads to spread out across Indian territory  Spurred white development  Farmers, ranches, merchants, salon keepers overran the land

 During the war numerous conflicts had taken place further west  A situation that would continue after the war  Brief example from the civil war period of action in the west  Colorado 1863

 1861 February 28 Colorado territory formalized  This set of a number of small incidents across the Plains  General Samuel R. Curtis sort to punish  Encouraged by Colonel John Chivington Methodist Minister and Indian hater

 1863 Black Kettle and Lean Bear along with other Cheyenne went to Washington where they committed themselves to peace  Governor Evans of Colorado feared that this may lead to an expanded reservation  No available Federal Troops so Governor formed a Militia in the lead Chivington

 April 7, 1864 reported that the Cheyenne has raided 175 head of cattle (actually cattle had strayed) (actually cattle had strayed)  Chivington attacked and destroyed 4 Cheyenne villages  May 26, 1864 George Eayre approached camp of 250 tipis  Lean Bear one of treaty group from Washington trip one of treaty group from Washington trip Walked out and explained that they were friendly Walked out and explained that they were friendly  Eayre order his men to fire  Killed Lean Bear and ran

 Black Kettle continued to push for peace  Visited Fort Lyon  Agreed to make peace  Curtis  “I want no Peace till the Indians have suffered more”

Video Sand Creek Massacre