1. Conflict on the Great Plains

2. Indian Wars overview Lead up Indian Wars
In 1834, the federal government declared that all of the Great Plains would be a reservation set aside for Native Americans
Starting in the 1850’s, the government changed its mind
Railroads allowed easier settlement of the Plains
Smaller territories were assigned to each tribe, with the rest of the land being set aside for settlers
Indian Wars
Many tribes ignored the new borders, leading to conflict between natives and settlers in which the military took the side of the settlers
The army forced native tribes into increasingly small reservations, and some tribes fought back

3. Conflicts
Use the textbook, starting on page 410, to read and take notes about each of the following conflicts:
Sand Creek
Fetterman Massacre
Little Bighorn
Red River War
Wounded Knee

4. End of the Indian Wars
Native tribes that fought were defeated, in part because the tribes largely fought separately
The virtual extinction of the Buffalo eliminated the main food source for the native tribes
All tribes were herded into reservations
The government implemented assimilation programs, attempting to “Americanize” native tribes