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Hohestead Act of 1862
In 1862 congress passed the Homestead Act, which gave 160 acres of land to a settler who was willing to pay a filing fee and lived on the land for five years. This was in an attempt to bring many new farmers to the Plains. The new farmers would homestead or earn ownership of the land by setteling on it. It was a sucess and thousands of new settlers came. Interestingly, in Colorado and Wyoming, 12 percent of all those who filed were women. -
Fetterman Massacre
Fetterman's Massacre was an incident when army troops were manning a fort on the Bozeman Trail, used by prospectors to reach gold mines in Montana. A Sioux military leader named Crazy Horse, acted as a decoy and lured the troops into a deadly trap. He tricked the fort's commander into sending a detachment of about 80 soldiers in pursuit. Hundreds of warriors were waiting to ambush and wipe out the entire detachment. -
Treaty of Fort Laramie
The Treaty of Fort Laramie was written to resolve the continual conflicts that arrose during this time line period. It stated that the United States desires peace with the different Bands of Sioux Nation of Indian Cheifs and Head men. The Indians also pledge peace. It stated that the Indians desired peace and will maintain peace as well. If any conflict arise from 'our side' the United States Government will punish wronge doers according the the United States laws and vice verca. -
1874 Discovery
The discovery of 1874 a discovery of gold. This began with a conflic over the Black Hills of the Dakotas. The government had promised that, "No white person or persons shall be permitted to settle upon or occupy" or even "pass through" these hills. However, the hills were rumored to contain gold. Custer led an army expedition to check on the remors and confirmed that there was gold, "from the grass roots down." Prospectors soon swarmed into the area. -
Battle of Little Bighorn
The Battle of Little Bighorn began as a result of the gold found on the land owned by the Sioux Indians. Sitting Bull refused to sell the land to the US so the Army led by Custer, was ordered to round up all Indians envolved. This included Sioux and Cheyenne warriors led by Crazy Horse. The Army only had 250 men, while Indians numbered the thousands. By the Little Bighorn River, Custer's Army fell. -
Ghost Dance
Wovoka, was a profhet caled on by the Sioux Indians. He suggested that the Sioux could regain their former greatness if they performed a ritual known as the Ghost Dance. This was a way for them to express their culture that was being distroyed. The ritual spread and officials became alarmed. Police went to Sitting Bulls camp to arrest him and during the scuffel he was shot. -
Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee is where hundreds of Indians fled to after Sitting Bulls death. It is located in South Dakota. On December 29, 1890, the Army went there to collect the Sioux's weapons. No one knows how the fighting started, but when a shot rang out, the army responded with fire. More than 200 Sioux and 25 soilders were killed.
