Conflict with Native Americans America chapter 14 section 2

The Indian Problem… What could be done with Western Indians so their land could be used more productively for mining, ranching, farming, railroad expansion, etc.? What could be done with Western Indians so their land could be used more productively for mining, ranching, farming, railroad expansion, etc.?

The Great Plains The middle of America! The middle of America! Grasslands b/t the Mississippi River & the Rocky Mountains Grasslands b/t the Mississippi River & the Rocky Mountains Some tribes were famers, hunters, & gatherers Some tribes were famers, hunters, & gatherers Others were nomadic Others were nomadic Nomad: people who travel from place to place, usually following a food source Nomad: people who travel from place to place, usually following a food source

The Looming Conflict Settlers: white people need to control the land b/c they would make the land more productive…therefore it was ok to just take it from Native Americans Settlers: white people need to control the land b/c they would make the land more productive…therefore it was ok to just take it from Native Americans Indians: these “settlers” were really just invaders and thieves! Indians: these “settlers” were really just invaders and thieves!

U.S. Government Policy Negotiated treaties to restrict movements of nomadic tribes Negotiated treaties to restrict movements of nomadic tribes Other treaties purchased Native Amer. Land, usually for an incredibly low price Other treaties purchased Native Amer. Land, usually for an incredibly low price Others forced Native Americans to move to and stay on reservations Others forced Native Americans to move to and stay on reservations Reservations: federal land set aside for Native Americans & where they were forced to live Reservations: federal land set aside for Native Americans & where they were forced to live

Treaties with Native Americans

Corruption! “chiefs” who signed treaties often did not represent all the people of the tribe “chiefs” who signed treaties often did not represent all the people of the tribe Some negotiators never intended to honor the deals they made Some negotiators never intended to honor the deals they made Some used violence to force Native Americans to sign Some used violence to force Native Americans to sign BIA ( Bureau of Indian Affairs): gov’t agency supposed to ensure delivery of critical supplies to reservations, but many ended up stolen, lost, or mishandled BIA ( Bureau of Indian Affairs): gov’t agency supposed to ensure delivery of critical supplies to reservations, but many ended up stolen, lost, or mishandled

The Settlers Acting on the premise they were superior to the natives and would make the land more productive, white settlers in the Great Plains and Western U.S. took and did what they wanted Acting on the premise they were superior to the natives and would make the land more productive, white settlers in the Great Plains and Western U.S. took and did what they wanted Stole land Stole land Killed off buffalo in HUGE numbers Killed off buffalo in HUGE numbers Redirected or stole water supplies (streams) Redirected or stole water supplies (streams) Attacked Native Americans Attacked Native Americans

The Settlers