Culture Clash on the Western Frontier1850’s-1890’s

U.S. policy shift over Indian Lands

Reasons for policy shiftGold and Silver strikesRailroad

Treaties created specific boundaries for tribesNatives ignored treatiesLed to clashes with settlers

Treaty of Fort Laramie

Treaty of 1868- Sioux live on reservationResult of attacks along Bozeman TrailNatives received

Land along Missouri River protection and supplies

Problems with treatyNot all Chiefs signedExpected to come and go from reservationExpected to use traditional hunting groundsSupplies came late and poor quality

The Ghost Dance

Community danceSpecial outfits, face paintingLively danceLoud singing

Indian prophet claimed performance of dance would lead to peace, prosperity and a return to their way of lifeSome believed dance would eradicate whites

Misunderstanding of the Ghost Dance

Whites interpreted dance to be a war danceEncouraged government ban

Sitting Bull

Sioux leaderSupported ghost danceU.S. military panicked

During arrest attempt, Sitting Bull was killed

Cavalry was sent to disarm Lakota Tribe

Led to Wounded Knee Massacre

Dawes Act- 1887

Teach desire to own property and farm Gave each family land Sold rest to settlers

Settlers took best land

Considered to be the end of the Native American way of life

Assimilation

AssimilationBelieved in “Americanizing” the

Native Americans“kill the Indian, save the man”

Expected of themGive up their beliefsAlso their way of lifeBecome part of the white culture