1. Section 3: Native American Struggles "Where the Indian killed one buffalo, the hide and tongue hunters killed fifty." Chief Red Cloud

2. Native American Struggles Most of the plains Indians, including the Sioux, the Comanche, and the Blackfeet, lived a Nomadic life. This means they traveled great distances following their source of food (Buffalo). Most of the plains Indians, including the Sioux, the Comanche, and the Blackfeet, lived a Nomadic life. This means they traveled great distances following their source of food (Buffalo). American hunters hired by railroad companies after the Civil War slaughtered the buffalo to feed workers and clear the path so buffalo would not block the trains. American hunters hired by railroad companies after the Civil War slaughtered the buffalo to feed workers and clear the path so buffalo would not block the trains.

3. No interest at first White people regarded the Plains as the “Great American Desert,” therefore for most of time left the Native Americans alone. White people regarded the Plains as the “Great American Desert,” therefore for most of time left the Native Americans alone. When whites began settling the plains, they tried a new policy When whites began settling the plains, they tried a new policy

4. Reservation Policy In 1867 the Indian Peace Commission developed a policy toward Native Americans. In 1867 the Indian Peace Commission developed a policy toward Native Americans. The commission recommended moving the Native Americans to a few large Reservations- tracts of land set aside for them. This was not a new policy, but a higher effort was made in that direction. The commission recommended moving the Native Americans to a few large Reservations- tracts of land set aside for them. This was not a new policy, but a higher effort was made in that direction.

5. Move Your Life One reservation was in Oklahoma, where Native Americans from the South-east were relocated in the 1830’s One reservation was in Oklahoma, where Native Americans from the South-east were relocated in the 1830’s Another was in the Dakota territory, where the Sioux people lived Another was in the Dakota territory, where the Sioux people lived The govt tricked Native Americans to move and live on the worst land possible. They also failed to deliver needed food and supplies. The govt tricked Native Americans to move and live on the worst land possible. They also failed to deliver needed food and supplies.

6. Conflict on the Plains Many bands of Native Americans throughout the country responded with violent tactics, attacking miners, ranchers, and farmers while stealing their money, food, and other supplies that were taken from them. Many bands of Native Americans throughout the country responded with violent tactics, attacking miners, ranchers, and farmers while stealing their money, food, and other supplies that were taken from them. Americans responded with planned massacres of Native American Villages. Americans responded with planned massacres of Native American Villages.

7. Little Bighorn In the Black Hills of the Dakotas, the Sioux were promised that no American would set foot in their territory. In the Black Hills of the Dakotas, the Sioux were promised that no American would set foot in their territory. However, a rumor started that gold was in that territory. Colonel George Custer led an expedition to the Dakotas. However, a rumor started that gold was in that territory. Colonel George Custer led an expedition to the Dakotas. Instead of respecting the rights of the Sioux, the govt tried to buy the hills. Chief Sitting Bull, the leader of the Sioux refused. Instead of respecting the rights of the Sioux, the govt tried to buy the hills. Chief Sitting Bull, the leader of the Sioux refused.

8. Little Bighorn Ctd Custer dreamed of a major victory for himself. He was ordered to scout the Sioux encampment. He divided his troops and attacked on July 25, 1876. Custer dreamed of a major victory for himself. He was ordered to scout the Sioux encampment. He divided his troops and attacked on July 25, 1876. Custer greatly underestimated the Sioux. His 250 troops went against a combined Sioux and Cheyenne force of over a thousand. The entire army was killed, only Custer’s horse was left standing. Custer greatly underestimated the Sioux. His 250 troops went against a combined Sioux and Cheyenne force of over a thousand. The entire army was killed, only Custer’s horse was left standing. News of defeat shocked the nation News of defeat shocked the nation

9. A shallow victory The victory was short lived The victory was short livedshort livedshort lived Reinforcements from the government came, crushed the uprising and sent everyone to reservations. Reinforcements from the government came, crushed the uprising and sent everyone to reservations. The Sioux escaped to Canada, however after years of starvation, they too were forced to reservations. Sitting Bull was the last chief to surrender The Sioux escaped to Canada, however after years of starvation, they too were forced to reservations. Sitting Bull was the last chief to surrender

10. The Dawes Act The Dawes Act in 1887 proposed to break up tribes and give them land. It was meant to encourage Native Americans to eventually become American citizens. The Dawes Act in 1887 proposed to break up tribes and give them land. It was meant to encourage Native Americans to eventually become American citizens. The government proposed to sell land to the Sioux, although the land was poor. The government proposed to sell land to the Sioux, although the land was poor. The government stated that the land could be used for farming, however the Sioux were hunters The government stated that the land could be used for farming, however the Sioux were hunters

11. Ghost Dance In 1890 the Sioux tried to preserve their culture by performing a ritual called the Ghost Dance. It was a way to preserve their culture that the Dawes Act was trying to destroy. In 1890 the Sioux tried to preserve their culture by performing a ritual called the Ghost Dance. It was a way to preserve their culture that the Dawes Act was trying to destroy. Word spread throughout the reservation and police went to arrest Sitting Bull. During an argument, they shot and killed Sitting Bull Word spread throughout the reservation and police went to arrest Sitting Bull. During an argument, they shot and killed Sitting Bull After the first shot was fired, the crowd that gathered panicked and fled, while the soldiers killed of Sitting Bulls wife and their son. After the first shot was fired, the crowd that gathered panicked and fled, while the soldiers killed of Sitting Bulls wife and their son.

12. “Bury my heart at Wounded Knee” Hundreds of Sioux fled after Sitting Bulls death and met at a creek called Wounded Knee. The army went there to collect their weapons. Hundreds of Sioux fled after Sitting Bulls death and met at a creek called Wounded Knee. The army went there to collect their weapons. Know one knows how fighting started, but when a pistol shot was heard the army opened fire. Know one knows how fighting started, but when a pistol shot was heard the army opened fire. There was speculation a soldier tried to take a gun away from a deaf Sioux There was speculation a soldier tried to take a gun away from a deaf Sioux More than 200 Sioux were killed. Only 25 soldiers died since most of the weapons were collected previously Wounded knee was the end of armed conflict, and the Native Americans had lost More than 200 Sioux were killed. Only 25 soldiers died since most of the weapons were collected previously Wounded knee was the end of armed conflict, and the Native Americans had lost

13. End Result Over the next 50 years, the govt divided up Native Americans into reservations. Homesteaders acquired most of the valuable land. Native Americans received dry plots of land that were not suitable for farming. Over the next 50 years, the govt divided up Native Americans into reservations. Homesteaders acquired most of the valuable land. Native Americans received dry plots of land that were not suitable for farming. Within decades, 90 million acres of land Native Americans acquired from the Dawes Acts were taken and sold to whites Within decades, 90 million acres of land Native Americans acquired from the Dawes Acts were taken and sold to whites

14. The Supreme Court In 1980, The U.S. Supreme court ruled that the 1876 seizure of the Black Hills violated treaty with the Sioux In 1980, The U.S. Supreme court ruled that the 1876 seizure of the Black Hills violated treaty with the Sioux Justice Blackman wrote, “A more ripe and rank case of dishonorable dealings will never, in all probability be found in our history” Justice Blackman wrote, “A more ripe and rank case of dishonorable dealings will never, in all probability be found in our history” The court did not return the land to the Sioux, and offered money instead The court did not return the land to the Sioux, and offered money instead

15. In all The award, which is now worth $600 million, remains unclaimed The award, which is now worth $600 million, remains unclaimed To date, the Sioux will not agree to surrender their claim to the Black Hills, a place they feel is sacred To date, the Sioux will not agree to surrender their claim to the Black Hills, a place they feel is sacred