American West

The West End of Civil War everyone wanted to get back to a normal society –Which is one of the failures reconstruction – people gave up – not wanting to deal w/ KKK –Large constabulary army – with nothing to do Western Motivation –Lure of the west and it possibilities »Fresh resources – economic promise –Western landscape »360,000 Indians lived in the West »Spanish and European had come into contact with for years »Cultural exchange of goods & products (glass, beads, knives, pelts, manufactured goods) »Introduction of disease, horses, new crops »Created disruption of Native American life – pushing of Indians to new lands

American West European perceptions of land –Economic terms – land is for making money/profit Native Americans not using the land like us – we can thus take the land No value for anything un-European in ideals and principal –Native Americans Diverse culture of people New languages; different beliefs, various religious practices; sedimentary vs. mobile life styles –Conflict Land and Bison Natives used the bison for everything, clothing, tools, instruments, religious practices Whites used them for profit Buffalo Bill Cody slew 4,300 buffalo in only 8 months

American West Transformation of the West 1860’s discovery of wealth/resources lead to new federal gov. policies –Lands where resources were found were purchased through treaty system »Shady and underhanded – often times get the native drunk to sign the treaties »Rarely spoke to the Indians in their own tongue – lost understanding »Lack of understanding of culture – no one chief spoke for the entire tribe –Reservation program for the Indians »Assimilation program – hoped Indians would abandon their culture »Teach them new farming techniques »New religion

American West A few tribes resisted these early attempts – –Navajos, Arapahos, Cheyenne, Sioux, Kiowas, Comanche's, Nez Perces, Native Americans fought to preserve their lands & hunting grounds Both sides committed atrocities in attempting to do what they thought was right Sand creek massacre & Fetterman massacre –Strict enforcement of reservation system Army controlled Force reservation life for those who did not sign treaties Many Indian at first lived in the reservation system but became disenfranchised with the reservation life Limiting, dirty, lack of water, lack of resources, unable to practice religious traditions, crummy food, etc… Many left the system and the army went after them to bring them back – lead to conflict

Custer’s Last Stand Back ground 1870s Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 was a point of contention –A treaty enacted to stop the Powder River war between Sioux and U.S. – set aside Sioux land »Many Sioux had not fought in the war or signed the treaty – but the Sioux were seen as one –A few Sioux were able to stay near their former hunting lands »To protect the lands Sioux carried out raids off the reservation »Intimidation tactic –1874 General Sherman (Civil War Fame) »Sent General Custer out onto the plains to build a fort, keep an eye on local Sioux actions »But also to confirm rumors about gold in the Black Hills – lead to a rush of people into the West Systematic mobilization against the Sioux – force concessions of the Sioux Black Hills land »Sioux refused and Custer was used to “persuade” the Sioux into submitting to U.S. demands –June 25, 1876 Custer took his troops to the little big horn mountains to attack an encampment of Sioux and other bands »He divided his troops in the face of superior numbers – not listening to his crow guides about the enormity of the Sioux band Custer and his men were surrounded and wiped out –Custer’s last stand shocked Americans »Most believed that the federal government should crush the Native Americans »“This region must be taken from the Indians” –The Sioux victory made the army more cautious – but also lead to more severe tactics of attacking the Native American and wiping them out.