1. What Role did the US Army play in the Defeat of the Plains Indians?

2. From the 1840s onwards the Plains Indians
were seen as a problem.
But WHY?

3. The problem
Background
When outsiders and Indians first met on the Great Plains their
relation were generally good. Even when there were growing
numbers of travellers crossing the plains. It was only when
outsiders began to settle on the plains that Indians regarded as
their own, that trouble began. From the 1840s onwards the plains
Indians were seen as a problem.
They occupied land that was wanted by travellers, settlers, ranchers, miners and the railroad companies
They stood in the way of the United States’ ‘Manifest Destiny’
Opinions differed as to the best solution to this problem.

4. Negotiate or Exterminate?
These were the people who wanted a negotiated solution to the Indian
problem. They were mainly the people living in the East. They believed
aggressive tactics would only make them worse. They believed the
Responsibility for Indian affairs should be kept with the Bureau of
Indian affairs and not given to the US army. They wanted to follow a
Policy of cultural assimilation.
Mainly people living in the West, settlers, miners and the soldiers sent to
protect them. These people believed that the only solution was to
destroy the plains Indians. They believed that the Bureau of Indian affairs
should be under the control of the Army. They wanted a military solution
to the problem of the Indians.
The Negotiators
The Exterminators

5. Indians sign peace treaty
Settlers, miners, railroad companies etc break treaty
Army defeats Indians
Why did the Indians go to war?
Army called in to protect setters etc
Indians attack settlers etc

6. Was Custer responsible for the defeat of the US army at the Battle of the Little Bighorn?

7. Introduction
Some people have argued that Custer was responsible for the defeat of the US Army at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, while other disagree and believe that there were other more important factors that lead to the defeat.

8. There are many factors, which, it could be argued, do suggest that Custer was to blame for the defeat at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. For example, Custer deliberately disobeyed orders and instead of circling the Wolf mountains, he rode across them. This was important because even though he managed to surprise the Indians, his men were so tired from the journey that it didn’t work.

9. However, there is also evidence to suggest that other factors beyond the control of Custer were important in resulting in the defeat. One of the most important factors was the weakness of the plan. Communication was poor and the Bureau of Indian Affairs gave the wrong information. This was even before the Battle so Custer was facing an uphill struggle from the start. It could also be argued that even if Custer hadn’t have made the other mistakes, he could never have changed the outcome because he was simply out numbered.

10. Whose fault was it? Custer Wanted glory, was arrogant
Divided the troops
Disobeyed orders
Didn’t have full support of his men
Thought about himself not his men
Didn’t confer with officers
Refused extra men
Mistake of Army leaders
Weak plan
Bad advice
One of other columns stopped to drink coffee and play whist
Indians changed tactics
Out numbered
Crazy Horse very talented leader

11. What does this picture show?

13. Why was the buffalo so important to the Indians way of life?
Skin used for clothing, bedding and tipi covers
Fur used for decoration on clothing
By 1875 the southern buffalo herd had been wiped out…
By 1885 the buffalo on the northern plane were gone too…
They were killed by buffalo hunters after their valuable hides
Bones for weapons, jewellery and knives
Brain used for tanning the hides
Horns used for weapons
Flesh and organs for food

14. The destruction of the buffalo herds were one reason why the Indians lost control of the plains – your challenge today is to find out about the other reasons…
We are learning the key reasons why the Indians lost control of the plains
To organise these reasons into key topics
To explain why each reason is important and how they link together
What I’m looking for is you being able to organise the key reasons into similar topics and to be able to produce a diagram explaining the links between the key reasons

15. Why did the Indians lose control of the Plains?
The buffalo
Territorial reasons: smaller reservations
Political actions of the US Government
Dawes and General Allotment Act
Why did the Indians lose control of the Plains?
Military reasons
Economic reasons
Destruction of Indian beliefs

16. The destruction of Indian Culture
The buffalo
Territorial Smaller reservations
Dawes general Allotment Act
Political
Actions of the US Government
The destruction of Indian Culture
Military reasons
Economic reasons
Religious Destruction of Indian beliefs

17. Notice anything odd about this picture?

18. The spread of the Ghost Dance Movement

21. Trigger