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The Sand Creek Massacre
Colonel John Chivington surrounded the Cheyenne village of Sand Creek. The chief, Black Kettle, raised an American flag as a sign of friendship. Chivington ignored this sign and ordered his soldiers to kill and scalp everyone. They killed about 400 people. This massacre was unnecessary and brutal. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-sandcreek/ -
Red Cloud Ambush
In retaliation of the Sand Creek Massacre, Chief Red Cloud gathered his Sioux warriors and they ambushed William J. Fetterman and his troops. Fetterman had 81 people with him, and not a single soul survived. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetterman_Fight -
Treaty of Fort Laramie
Now faced with a stalemate, both sides agreed to the treaty. This stopped the fighting temporarily. The land boundaries were reconfirmed. This peace, however, didn't last long. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cloud -
Gold Discovered in South Dakota
A scientific research team discovered gold in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where Indians were living. Nothing could stop the masses from pouring into the area, looking to get rich quick. The local chiefs decided to take up arms to defend themselves. https://syedbalkhi.com/selling-the-shovel-vs-mining-the-gold/ -
Aftermath of Little Big Horn
The rest of the US regulars arrived and chased the Sioux for months. By October, the resistance was all but gone. Crazy Horse surrendered and Sitting Bull and other warriors had escaped across the Canadian border. But even they came back and surrendered because of hunger. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada -
The Battle of Little Big Horn
General Custer ordered his troops to attack the Indians, unaware that he was attacking the main encampment. The Sioux and Cheyenne massacred the entire opposing force. https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/battle-of-the-little-bighorn -
A Century of Dishonor
Helen Hunt Jackson wrote a book entitled "A Century of Dishonor". This was an insulting attack on the US Indian policies and how the government had treated Indians over the past 100 years. https://www.amazon.com/Century-Dishonor-Classic-Expos%C3%A9-Americans/dp/048642698X -
The Dawes Act
Under this act, each Native American family was given 160 of land to own. The land couldn't be sold for 25 years, but the owners could profit off of it. After 25 years, the natives could become American citizens. The US government tried to incorporate the Indians into society, but the Indians didn't appreciate it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawes_Act -
Sooners in Oklahoma
The government declared that land previously owned by the Indians would become open to homesteaders. People who snuck in early to stake their claim became known as sooners. This is how the state got its nickname. https://sportsmaniausa.com/collections/oklahoma-sooners -
The Wounded Knee Massacre
The US army demanded the surrender of the Sioux so they would stop the Ghost Dance. The chief ordered his men to surrender, but a single shot rang out, and the cavalry started to fire. Almost 300 were dead by the time the smoke cleared. This was the last battle between natives and the US government. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/sd-woundedknee/
