Westward Settlement and The Plains Wars

1. Westward Settlement and The Plains Wars Hand in Chapter 18 GR & Opening West Part II Maps on Front Table Prepare for Notes

2. Homestead Act • In 1862 Congress passed the Homestead Act, which gave 160 free acres of land to a settler who paid a filing fee and lived on the land for five years.

3. Oklahoma Land Rush April 22, 1889 – 10,000 people lined up on the edge of Oklahoma to stake their claim for free land.

6. Life on the Plains

7. Sodbusters • A name given to the Plains farmer

11. Summer on the Plains • 1870s – Swarms of grasshoppers swept over the plains

12. Winter on the Plains Families had to plan for winter!

13. New Farming Methods • Sodbusters – Farmers on the Great Plains • 160 Acre farms were too small to make a living. Therefore, farmers diversified: • animals • trading

15. The Farmers’ Frontier • The climate of the Plains presented farmers with their greatest challenge. • Little rainfall • Fluke storms would destroy crops • Drought threatened crops and lives • Brushfires

16. Ranching • Dry conditions create less vegetation • Cattle Ranchers had to use vast areas to feed their cattle • Would eventually moooooove the cattle to rail heads to ship east

17. Ranchers and Farmers • Long drives move cattle to railroad towns • Came into conflict with farmers • Range wars would occur between ranchers • Cattle rustlers

21. Settlers Change The Land • Destruction of buffalo meant destruction of Native American lifestyle • Destruction of plains decreased buffalo herds • Over hunting of buffalo caused starvation amongst many tribes • Caused destruction of native lifestyle

22. Looking to the West (1860-1900) The Indian Wars

23. The Life of the Plains Indians • Eastern settlers changed the lives of N. A. on the Great Plains • Indians & French traded buffalo hides for guns, making hunting easier • Horses made N. A. warfare much more intense and violent • Many N. A. became nomads b/c of the horse. Became more mobile to follow food sources • Warrior societies led to much more violence and instability

24. Indian Wars and Government Policy • N.A. lived on traditional lands W. of Mississippi • N. A. viewed settlers as invaders, Settlers took land from N. A. • (Settlers vs. N.A. = invaders vs. owners) • Gov’t treaties forced N. A. onto reservations • Settlers ignored treaties • Acts of violence led to cycles of revenge. Both sides guilty.

25. Brutality, Unfulfilled Promises, and Butchery • Treaties: • Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867 • Fort Laramie Treaty (1868) • Most Indians angered by the treaties • By 1868, war parties were raiding cities in Kansas and Colorado • In response, army troops killed any Indians who refused to stay on reservations

26. Wars/Battles Native American Nations/Homelands Key Players Description/Outcome Apache and Navajo Wars (1861-1886) Apache in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado territories; Navajo in New Mexico, Colorado territories • Geronimo • Col. Christopher “Kit” Carson Carson kills or relocates many Apache to reservations in 1862. Clashes drag on until Geronmino’s surrender in 1886. Navajo told to surrender in 1863, but before they can, Carson attacks, killing hundreds, destroying homelands. Navajos moved to New Mexico reservation in 1865. Sand Creek Massacre (1864) Southern Cheyeene, Arapaho, in central plains • Black Kettle • Col. John Chivington Cheyenne massacres prompt Chivington to kill up to 500 surrendered Cheyenne and Arapaho led by Black Kettle. Red River War (1874-1875) Comanche and southern branches of Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Arapaho, in southern plains • Comanche war parties • Gen. William T. Sherman • Lt. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan Southern plains Indians relocated to Oklahoma Indian Territory under 1867 Treaty of Medicin Lodge. After buffalo hunters destroy the Indians food supply, Comanche warriors race to buffalo grazing areas in Texas panhandle to kill hunters. Sherman and Sheridan defeat warriors and open panhandle to cattle ranching. Key Events in the Indian Wars, 1861-1890

27. Wars/Battles Native American Nations/Homelands Key Players Description/Outcome Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) Northern plains Sioux in Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana territorries • Sitting Bull • Crazy Horse • Red Cloud • Lt. Col. George A. Custer U.S. tries to buy gold-rich Black Hills from Sioux. Talks fail. Custer’s 7th Cavalry is sent to round up Sioux, but meets huge enemy force. Custer and some 200 men perish in “Custer’s Last Stand.” Nez Perce War (1877) Largest branch of Nez Perce, in Wallowa Valley of Idaho and Washington territories and Oregon • Chief Joseph • Gen. Oliver O. Howard • Col. Nelson Miles Howard orders Nez Perce to Idaho reservation; violence erupts. Joseph leads some 700 men, women, and children on 1,400-mile flight. His 200 warriors hold off Miles’s 2,000 soldiers until halted 40 miles short of Canada. Sent to Indian Territory, many die of disease. In 1885, survivors moved to reservation in Washington Territory. Battle of Wounded Knee (1890) Sioux at Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota • Sitting Bull • U.S. 7th Cavalry Ghost Dance raises fears of Sioux uprising; Sitting Bull killed in attempted arrest. His followers surrender and camp at Wounded Knee. Shots are fired; some 200 Sioux die. Key Events in the Indian Wars, 1861-1890

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29. Warring Sioux • Several Sioux tribes fought to stay on their land and protect their hunting grounds • Raided settlements and harassed miners • Sitting Bull • Leader of non-treaty Sioux • Strong fighting expertise

30. On Monday: Native American Leaders Project • Today • Native American Removal after 1850 Map