1. Level 2
Native Americans
Conflict on the Plains

2. Who were the tribes of the Great Plains

3. The Major tribes were:
Arapaho
Blackfoot
Cheyenne
Comanche
Crow
Osage
Pawnee
Sioux
Wichita
The Comanche, Sioux, and the Cheyenne are the most influential tribes.

4. For hundreds of years, Native American tribes had lived on the great plains in villages along rivers and streams
They grew crops of corn, beans, and quash, while hunting deer, elk, and buffalo
Lifestyle changed in the 1500’s when the Spanish brought horses
They became nomadic, meaning they moved from place to place, mainly to follow the traveling herds of buffalo

6. Beliefs and Values
Strong connection to nature - using resources from Mother Earth in moderation
Respect for elders
Code of Ethics
Land is not property to be owned by one, but a resource to be shared with all.
Respect all things that are placed upon this Nature is not for us, it is a part of us. They are part of your worldly family.
Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.

7. Broken Promises
Since the 1830’s and earlier, the American government constantly broke promises to Native American tribes
By the 1860’s, the Native Americans were no longer willing to quietly be mistreated
American governments cruelty towards them, however, became even worse
What will ensue is a series of battles and massacres that will become known as the “Indian Wars”

8. 1851- Treaty of Fort Laramie
 The treaty sets forth traditional territorial claims of the tribes as among themselves.
1858 – Gold is discovered in Pikes Peak, CO · Miners trespass on Native American land
1860’s – Native Americans are forced to sign a new treaty giving up land around Pikes Peak. Some Native Americans refused and began attacking and killing soldiers and miners.

9. Sand Creek Massacre (1864)
Meeting with Colonel John M. Chivington at Camp Weld in September, Black Kettle and his tribe assumed a peace agreement had been reached, and they camped at Sand Creek, forty miles away.”
As the Cheyenne's went to an American fort to establish peace, they left many of their weaker members at Sand Creek with an American flag flying above the village to show they wanted peace with America
Soldiers, knowing the warriors were gone massacred the people of the village. Killing 105 women and children and 28 men, as well as mutilating the dead and wounded.
The attack was led by Col. John Chivington

10. Battle of the Washita (1868)
Cheyenne warriors left the reservation to hunt
General George Custer attacks the Cheyenne village located on the Washita River in western Oklahoma
The result was a massacre of 103 Cheyenne mostly women and children.
Battle of the Little Big Horn (1876)
Fought on June 25-26, 1876 in Montana between American soldiers led by George A. Custer against Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Indians led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse
American army made several mistakes and underestimated the fighting force of the Indians
Custer and most of his men were killed in the battle

11. After Little Bighorn US Army again increases hostility
Crazy Horse surrenders three years later, while Sitting Bull flees to Canada for several years
Other Indian tribes are moved further and further west; more lands are stolen from them in “treaties” set up by the government
Chief Joseph’s famous quote after surrendering: “I will fight no more forever.”
Some tribes continued to fight by attacking forts and settlements

12. Battle of Wounded Knee (1890)
The last armed conflict between US army and Native Americans in the west
US soldiers were worried that a prayer rally (The “Ghost Dance”) was actually a war ceremony, A shot was fired the army opened fire on Wounded Knee village, killing more than 200 men, women
This event brought the “Indian Wars”– and an entire era to a bitter end
“Bury my heart at Wounded Knee.”

13. Chief Joseph Quotes
Full quote: “I am tired of fighting, our chiefs are all killed, the old men are all dead, the little children are freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children to see how many of them I can find, maybe I shall find them among the dead. 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.”
“If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.”
“It does not require many words to speak the truth.”
“I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.”

14. A Way of Life Ends
American settlers contributed to near extinction of buffalo, which the Indians relied on for food
Buffalo population:
Before the white man’s arrival: 60 million
By 1890: 750
White settlers were shooting 1 million buffalo a year, mostly for sport, in the 1870’s
Dawes Act (1887): Encouraged Indians to farm with settlers. Tribal lands were divided and given to each family

15. 40,00 buffalo hides waiting for shipment from Dodge City, KS
Buffalo skulls that will be ground for fertilizer

16. Apache children on arrival at the Carlisle Indian School (Pennsylvania) wearing traditional clothing.
The same Apache children four months later.