Native American Encounters with the US Army

By mtreber03

  • The Sand Creek Massacre

    The Sand Creek Massacre
    The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 gave part of the Great Plains land to the Cheyenne and Arapahoe. The Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes were also raiding ranches, as a result of being stuck on reservation land. As they were surrendering to the US army, many Native Americans were killed, and this event was turned to give more land to US settlers.

  • Battle of Little Bighorn

    Battle of Little Bighorn
    The Treaty of Fort Laramie created a large Sioux reservation, including an area called the Black Hills. Gold was discovered on these lands, so people started entering the area. The Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho were starting a warpath to keep what little land they had. Warriors led by an Indian named Sitting Bull were met by General Custer and his 7th Cavalry, of only 250 men. The 2500 Native Americans quickly outnumbered then and celebrated a short-lived Sioux victory.

  • Massacre at Wounded Knee

    Massacre at Wounded Knee
    The Ghost Dance is a traditional Sioux religious ceremony that reconnects with the past. US settlers feared this was a war dance, which led to the US army being brought in to enforce more harsh methods in forcing the Sioux to remain on their reservation. As US troops tried to disarm a group of Sioux, shots were fired. Over 200 men, women, and children died that day.