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Sand Creek Massacre
The cause of the massacre had lots to do with the conflict over control of the Great Plains of eastern Colorado. The tension between the Indians and settlers had risen by 1861. Colonel John Chivington's army attacked the Native Americans on November 29th, 1964. None of Chivington's men were killed, but many of the Native Americans died because of the attack. When the Colorado volunteers returned, they killed those that were wounded, and set the village on fire. -
Medicine Lodge Treaty
The Medicine Lodge Treaty is a name for the three treaties that were signed by the American government and the southern Plain Indian tribes. These were created to make peace with the Indians by moving them to reservations in Indian Territory and away from the American settlement. The first treaty was signed on October 21st and the third and final treaty was signed on October 28th. The reservations the Indians were moved to were considerably smaller than the land they had prior to the treaties. -
2nd Treaty of Ft. Laramie
The Treaty was an agreement between the United States and the Oglala, Miniconjou, and Brule of the Lakota people. This treaty gauranteed the Lakota ownership to the Black Hills, and other land in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Part of this treaty was to "ensure the civilization" of the Lakota Indians. -
Battle of Palo Duro Canyon
This battle was the major battle of the Red River War. Ranald S/ Mackenzie led the attack on the Comanche, Cheyanne and Kiowa. On the morning of the attack, Mackenzie's troops were unable to find a path down the canyon, so instead they headed straight down the steep cliffs of the canyon. When Mackenzie and his men attacked, many of the Indians fled the area, leaving behind anything they owned. By nightfall, the canyon belonged to Mackenzie and his troops. -
Battle of the Little Big Horn
The Lakota Sioux and Cheyennes were angered because of the whites invading their land, so they left their reservations. Becuase of this, federal troops that were led by Colonel George Armstrong Custer fought against the Indians. General Custer did not know the number of Indians that were fighting under the authority of Sitting Bull. Because of this, General Custer and his army were quickly overwhelmed. This battle is also known as "Custer's Last Stand." -
Relocation of the Nez Perce
Many of the Indians did not want to leave the area, but some were fine with relocating, Because of this, the Nez Perce split in half, some leaving, some refusing to leave and staying where they were. The Nez Perce had been pursued by over 2,000 soldiers of the U.S. Army as they searched for freedom. They traveled across many mountain ranges and also four states during their journey for freedom. -
Capture of Geronimo
An attack in 1858 by Mexican soldiers resulted in the death of Geronimo's mother, wife, and three children. Because of this attack Geronimo joined attacks of revenge on the mexicans. Geronimo was pursued by the Americans, and in 1886 he surrendered to U.S. authorities. He became a celebrity of sorts because he was a prisoner of war in such old age. -
Ghost Dance movement begins
The Ghost Dance movement was a religious movement. According to a prophet named Jack WIlson, if individuals were practice this dance properly, the dead spiritss would be reunited with the living. According to the prophet, the reuniting of the dead spirits with the living would bring peace, prosperity, and unity to the Natives. This movement swept quickly throughout the Western United States. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
The Seventh Calvary of the U.S. Army attacked a band of Miniconjou Sioux. When the attack was over, most of the Indians were either dead or dying, but only 25 soldiers were killed. It was estimated that 300 men, women, and children were killed, out of the original 350.
