Native American Persecution and Resistance

Indian Removal Act (1830s) - Forced tribes in the Southeast to move west of the Mississippi River to Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma) After Indian wars, forced to move to reservations – cycle of poverty and despair Forced to give up hunting, religious practices Children rounded up and taken to Indian boarding schools to assimilate children into the “white man” Whites were killing off buffalo herds for sport or hides – nearly drove them extinct

The Ghost Dance Ancient religious ritual hoping to regain their spirit Forbidden by US government. Feared it would lead to armed insurrection. Led to massacre at Wounded Knee when US cavalry kill 250 Native Americans, mostly women and children

The Massacre at Wounded Knee

Native American Reservations Today

Native American Resistance Following conflict between Dakota tribe and Minnesota settlers, U.S. military captures 300 warriors and executes 39. Largest public hanging in American history. Sioux crushed American troops under General George Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Not a singe soldier survived.

Dakota Warriors Hanging

Battle of Little Bighorn Custer’s Last Stand

Nez Perce’ of Northwest forced to leave their lands for reservation Unhappy warriors attack white settlements Chief Joseph leads a 1,000 mile fighting retreat toward Canada Outnumbered 10 to 1, but won many battles Considered one of the great military actions in American history. Eventually forced to surrender

“I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed…. the little children are freezing to death….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 1877

The Dawes Act *Sought to assimilate Native Americans into culture of American society. *Govt. divided up reservation land into privately owned plots. *Gave N.A. opportunity to become American citizens if they gave up their tribal association. *Act failed – N.A. lost 50% of their land.