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Homestead Act of 1862
The act gave 160 free acres to a settler who paid a filing fee and lived on the land for five years. This policy brought farmers to the plains to earn ownership of land by settling on it. This brought thousands of settlers. Immigrants becoming citizens could file for land. Single women and widows used the Homestead Act to claim land. -
Fetterman Massacre
Army troops were manning a fort on the Bozeman Trail. Crazy Horse, a Sioux military leader, lured the troops into a deadly trap. He tricked the fort's commander into sending a detachment of about 80 soldier in pursuit. Hundreds of warriors were waiting in ambush. They wiped out the entire detachment. -
Treaty of Fort Laramie
A congressional committee studied the Indians. Based on their studies, they started an Indian Peace Committee to end wars and prevent future conflict. The government was trying to get the Indians to sign treaties to give up their land and push them west into reservations. A meeting was held in Fort Laramie that led to a treaty with the Sioux. It was meant to bring peace between whites and the tribe to settle in the Black Hills Reservation. -
Discovery of 1874
It was rumored that there was gold in the Black Hills. Custer was sent to check it out. He confirmed the rumor. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
The government promised that no "white man" would be permitted on the Black Hills, However, people heard that there was gold in the hills. An army expedition led by Custer confirmed the rumor of gold and prospectors swarmed the area. Sitting Bull, an important leader, gathered warriors of the Sioux and Cheyenne. Crazy horse, another Sioux chief, and his forces joined them. The army, led by Custer was ordered to scout the indian encampment. All 250 soldiers died. Indians were sent to reservation -
Ghost Dance
A way for the Sioux to express their culture. As the ritual spread, reservation officials became alarmed and banned the dance. It was believed that Sitting Bull was the leader of the movement. Police were sent to arrest him. Sitting Bull was shot. -
Wounded Knee
Hundreds of Lakota and Sioux fled after Sitting Bull died. They gathered at the creek called Wounded Knee. The army went there to collect the Sioux's weapons. Over 200 Sioux and 25 soldiers died. This event ended armed conflict between whites and Native Americans. The Native Americans lost the long struggle.
