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Homestead Act
The government encouraged settlement on the Great Plains by passing the homestead act. For a 10 dollar fee, one could file for a homestead. A homesteader could claim up to 160 acres of land and receive a title to the land if they live there for 5 years. Later on the government increased how much is available. :D -
Dakota Sioux Uprising
The tribe agreed to live on a reservation in exchange for annuities. however the annuities frequently got stuck in bureaucracy and corruption and never got to the tribe. After the rebellion a military tribunal sentenced 307 Dakota to death. Many fled the reservation and so they named the land the Dakota Territory. :( -
Sand Creek Massacre
Many miners moved to Colorado looking for gold and silver, the tension grew between them and the Cheyenne and Arapaho. The Native Americans raided the wagon trains and stole cattle and horses from ranches. Many homes had been burned and about 200 settlers had been killed. John Evans the territorial governor made the Native Americans surrender at Fort Lyon, where they were given food and protection. Then followed a battle where 14 soldiers were killed and 69-600 Native Americans were killed. :/ -
Nevada becomes a state
Nevada partially became a state to support the Pro-Union cause in the 1864 presidential election. Nevada supported the union cause, however the support for the north was unanimous. Nevada is sometimes known as the "Battle Born State". :) -
Red Cloud's War
The Dakota Territory was also home to the Lakota Tribe.The Lakota was a nomadic tribe who fought hard to keep ahold of their hunting grounds,which started at the Black Hills and and went west toward the Bighorn Mountains.The army was building forts along the Bozeman Trail so Crazy Horse an army leader tricked the commander of the fort to send a captain and 80 soldiers to pursue what was said to be a small raiding party.Hundreds of warriors were waiting to ambush and wipe out the whole unit. :(:) -
Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive
The Chisholm Trail was a major route of Texas for livestock. It was only used from 1867 and and 1884. The longhorn cattle driven north on it gave a pretty steady income that aided in the states recovery from being impoverished from the war. :D -
Indian Peace Commission
The Indian Peace Commission was an attempt to bring peace to the western lands by making reservations for the Native American Tribes. Allowing white settlers to claim former Indian territories and railroads to continue to lay tracks toward the Pacific. :) -
Battle of Little Big Horn
Native American armies that were led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull defeat U.S. army troops. :( -
Fight of Nez Perce
The Nez Perce people who were led by chief Joseph refused to move to smaller reservation in Idaho. When the army returned to move them they fled their homes and began a trip over 1,300 miles. In October of 1877 the chief gave up and him and his followers were exiled to Oklahoma. :/ -
Dawes Act
Similar to the Homestead Act, the Dawes Act allowed the head of each household 160 acres of reservation land for farming. Single adults got 80 acres and children got 40. After all members received their land, remaining allotments would be sold to American Settlers and the proceeds would be put into a trust for the Native Americans. :) -
The Oklahoma Land Rush
The government opened one of the final large territories for settlements. Within hours, over 10,000 people rushed to stake the claims. :D -
Tragedy at Wounded Knee
Native American resistance came to a final tragic end on the Lakota Sioux Reservation. Disobeying the orders of the government, the Lakota continued performing the "Ghost Dance", which was the ritual that celebrated a hoped for day of reckoning when settlers would disappear and buffalo would return. Then, Native Americans would reunite with their dead ancestors. Federal Authorities banned the ceremony afraid it would lead to violence. Police went to arrest the chief but was killed by gunfire.:/