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Act of 1834
The federal government had passed an act that designed the entire Great Plains as one enormous reservation, or land se aside for Native American Tribes. -
Changed Policy
The gorvernment changed its policy and created treaties that defined specific boundaries for each tribe. -
Massacre at Sand Creek
One of the most tragic events occurred in 1864. Chivington and his troops descended on the Cheyenne and Arapaho, about 200 warriors and 500 women and chldren, camped at Sand Creek. On November 29, 1864 killed over 150 inhadbitants, mostly women and children. -
Battle of the Hundred Slain
In December 1866, the warrior Crazy Horse ambushed Captain William J. Fetterman and his company at Lodge Trail Ridge. Over 80 soldiers were killed. Native AMericans called this fight the Battle of the Hundred Slain. Whited called it the Fetterman Massacre. -
Treaty of Fort Laramire
The Treaty of Fort Laramie, in which the Sioux agreed to live on a reservation along the Missouri River, was forced on the leaders of the Sioux in 1868. Sitting Bull leader of the Hunkpapa Sioux, had never signed it. Although the Oglala and Brule Sioux did sign the treaty, they expected to continue using their traditional hunting grounds. -
Gold Rush
Colonel George A. Custer reported that the Black Hills had gold "from the grass roots," a gold rush was on. Red Cloud and Spotted Tail, another Sioux chief, vainly appealed again to government officials in Washington. -
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Red River War
US army hearded the people of friendly tribed onto reservations while opening fire on all others. General Philip Sheridan, a union army vteran, gave orders "to destroy their villages and ponies, to kill and hang all warriors, and to bring back all women and children." With such tactics, the army crushed resistance on the southern plains. -
Custer's Last Stand
The SIouc and Cheyenne held a sun dance, during which Sitting Bull had a vision of soldiers and some Native AMericans falling from their horses. When Colonel Custer and his troops reached the Little Bighorn River, the Native Americans were ready for them. Crazy Horse, Gall, and Sitting Bull, the warriors with raised spears, outflanked and crushed Custer's Troops. -
Dawes Act
Congress passed the Dawes Act to "Americanize" the Native Americans. It broke up reservations and gave some of the reservation land to individual Native Americans, 160 acres to each head of household and 80 acres to each unmarried adult. Government would sell the remainder of the reservations to settlers, and the resulting income would be used by Native Americans to buy farm implements. -
Wounded Knee
In December of 1890, about 40 Native American police were sent to arrest Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull's friend and bodyguard, Catch-the-Bear, shot one of them. The police then killed Sitting Bull.
