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Meeting the US
The Lakotah first met the US when they bought the Lousiana Purchase from France. -
Treaty for Fort Laramie
AKA: Treaty of 1851
The Lakotah signed a treaty allowing the US to build a road through their lands in order to access the gold in Montana. This road was known as the "Bozeman Trail". This road, Fort Laramie, and it's mining camps were to be in service until there was no gold left. -
Civil War & A Broken Treaty
The Civil War begins, and the US begins to build more forts along the "Bozeman Trail". These forts violate the Treaty of 1851, because by now all the gold is gone. The road was meant to be shut down, along with it's fort and mining camps, and when it wasn't, the Lakotah went to war against the US. -
Treaty of Fort Laramie
AKA: Treaty of 1868
Intended to secure the permanent annexation of the Powder River Country in Wyoming from the US, this treaty reaffirmed the rights previously given to the Lakotah through the Treaty for Fort Laramie. For 2 years before this treaty, the US fought the Lakotah in the Powder River Country, intending to conquer the area for the transcontinental railroad. This lead to the formation of the Great Sioux Reservation, on which the Lakotah lived, and the Republic of the Lakotah. -
Battle of Little Big Horn
Members of the US 7th Cavalry attacked a Native American village and were defeated. It was the largest village anyone knew of at the time, and Custer attacked believing that his troops had been seen and the village had been alerted. He didn't want the Native American's to disperse, so he attacked. He lost most of his men that day. -
Wounded Knee Massacre
US 7th Cavalry escorted a band of Lakotah to Wounded Knee where they made camp and were disarmed. In the morning, the 7th Cavalry attacked an almost defenseless group Lakotah, killing 200 men, women, and children. More Lakotah came to the aid of their brothers and sisters, but most were not in time to save many of the original group. -
Relocation Begins
No actual begining date, just a year. Congress passes acts that force relocation to reservations on Native Americans. -
Relocation Ends
No actual date of end, just a year. Really hasn't ended in some sense. Native Americans are no longer forced to relocate. -
Life Today
Life today for the Lakotah people is very hard. They are a dying culture, a fading memory. Please take a moment to think about how much we have done to them and remember what they could do for us. Their culture is fascinating, and it only takes a few minutes to get hooked enough to learn more.
Genocide of the Lakotah
