Chapter 14Page 424-455

The Western Crossroads

14.1- Native American Resistance

Plains/West (KS, CO, ND, SD, MO, MT, OK)We move all of the Native Americans to

reservations∙Bureau of Indian Affairs est. 1824

A. Indian country

B. Years of Struggle

Whites want gold and land-Some NA’s say yes, some say no-Black Kettle – (Cheyenne Leader) first resists but

then when he is on his way to surrender they are attacked when the men were gone. 200 women and children were killed. Sand Creek Massacre

-Now the men are mad…war path!-Colonel Chivington “Kill Indians”-Treaty of Medicine Lodge (1867)- NA’s give up land for reservation in Black Hills

(gold)

Sand Creek, CO

Tatanka Iyotake- “Sitting Bull”- Sioux medicine man- not moving

- Battle of Rosebud – not a NA victory but it gave them confidence.

- camping at river- 2000 NA’s led by Crazy Horse

- General George Armstrong Custer attacked, too many NA’s, all soldiers died- Battle of the Little Bighorn

- soon they were conquered and forced to settle near agency

Custer’s Last Stand

- South Dakota 1889 - Wovoka began ghost dance religion (Christian and NA) If danced: whites leave, dead return, traditions revived*very peaceful except “Ghost shirts” stop bulletsGovernment scared-arrest Sitting Bull12-15-1890 Sitting Bull was killedmore ghost shirt fighters for revenge and action - Government arrests Big Foot (active fighter) who now wants

peace. Camping at Wounded Knee on way to agency12-29-1890 gov’t takes guns, not all so skirmish while looking at

gunfire begins. 300 Sioux killed and 30 soldiers Wounded Knee Massacre

Americans shocked/ Custer avengers—End of Indian Wars on the Great Plains.

Wounded Knee

1. 1873 Oregon- Nez Perce- the US gov't wants to move them to Idaho (res)

Chief Joseph- OK we will go peacefully but 1 of tribe kills white settler for revenge. The gov’t wants Chief Joseph so he flees to Canada. 40 miles from the border they stop to rest and the soldiers surround them. Chief Joseph surrenders.

2. Apaches- 1877- forced to San Carlos Reservation- hard life

1881 Geronimo leaves with 17 others and spent 5 years running from the gov't.

1886- Geronimo surrendersThis is the end of armed resistance to

Reservations.

C. Conflict in the Far West

US took land and buffalo “Every buffalo dead is an Indian gone”

Reform- Helen Hunt Jackson- “A Century of Dishonor”

Sarah Winnemucca- speaks on behalf of NA’spleads to Rutherford B. Hayes (pres.) and he sympathizes but nothing happens

D. Voices of Protest

The US gov’t forced the NA’s to become anti-Indian

Indian schools- Carlisle Indian School, PA- speak and read English, wear “proper” clothes, American names (picture 434)

The object was to kill the Indian but save the man.

Divide all the land from tribal to private and settlers could buy the extra

Dawes General Allotment Act – 1887160 acres/family but this was a disaster

because the NA’s chose for significance not for soil. 2/3 of land was lost.

E. Assimilating American Indians

The gov’t wanted these Plains Indians to stop relying on sheep and become farmers.

Soldiers destroyed dwellings, sheep, crops, etc., finally surrendered 1864 and sent on the Long Walk to New Mexico. Kept there by soldiers. Given tools but the land was unsuitable for farming and many died so the gov’t moved them to Arizona where they rebuilt. Sheep raising, weaving, silver smithing. By 1880’s prospered.

F. The Navajos

Actions affecting NA’s1. Reservation life2. Forced to farms3. Lost culture4. Death

Benefits White Settlers

1. Land for resettlement

The United States Reservation SystemAgency: Bureau of Indian Affairs

Page 455 “Chief Joseph’s own story”– is this reality?