1) The Plains Indians Flashcards
What were the plains like in 1840?
Gently rolling hills, grassland, rivers, strong winds all year round and blizzards in the winter and dry in the summer
The Indians way of life was
Nomadic, they moved north away from heat and in winter they stayed at the foothills of the Rockies
Where did the Indians originally come from?
Asia across a land bridge
How did they get horses?
Spanish invaders brought horses in the 16th century, the Indians often revolted against them and stole their horses
What did horses allow them to do?
Move quicker, hunt more easily so they could I’ve up farming and rely on hunting buffalo
When did Europeans bring small pox to the east
In 1795
What did guns do to the Indians?
Changed their warfare, they had to move into the plains if their enemies had guns
What did Plains Indians build tipis from?
From buffalo skins and other materials
What was good about the tipis?
They were very well planned and easy to dismantle and move
What were the men’s roles ?
Men had to hunt look after horses protect the band
What were the women’s roles
Look after the tipi (home) prepare food, fetch water and make clothes and other items
Why were children highly valued
They were the future of the band
What part did old people play?
They gave advice on the council and passes on oral history, helped bring up children but when they got too sick they were left behind
How were the Sioux organised?
Nation—> tribes led be Chiefs—>bands
What happened if an individual did wrong?
They would be humiliated in front of the rest of the band
What happened if they murdered someone
They were banished
What were some of the useful items they used?
Travois (carry things away easily) papoose (carry baby)
How were Chiefs appointed
Chosen for their skills, didn’t stay Chiefs for life, for their ability to hunt and their wisdom
What were the councils
Made important decisions, only men included
What was the warrior society
All men were part of it, responsible for hunting, travelling and protecting their village from attack
How was buffalo hunted pre- horse
Crept up on it, sometimes dressed as wolves, and shot with arrows OR chased so that they ran over a cliff ( this was hard to get to and they may not run in the right direction)
How were the buffalo hunted post horse?
They would run along side them and surround them and shoot them with bows and arrows or guns, this was dangerous and it was hard to get close to them
What was each part of the buffalo used for? (Examples)
Tanned hide: clothes, belts, tipi covers Muscles: sinew, meat Tail: decorations, fly brush, whips Fat: soap Bones: knives, arrow heads... Dung: fuel Stomach: buckets, bowls Hooves: glue Hair and beard: decor, headdresses Brains: hide preps Horns: spoons, cups Rawhide: clothes, containers, bags
What did they think had a spirit
Everything
Who did they believe created everything
wakan tanka
Why did they think everything descended from the eagle
Because it was a wise and great warrior
What were some common beliefs
The circle of nature (everything was a circle) reincarnation, that they were part of the earth
What was the buffalo dance for
Before hunting to get luck in their hunt
What was the sun dance for
To get guidance from the spirits
What were visions
A way to contact the spirit world
Where did they get their names for
Their visions (sitting bull, crazy horse)
Why did tribes fight?
To steal horses, seek revenge, destroy enemies, gain space / status and protect their family
Why did individuals fight?
Prove bravery, personal glory, enter the warrior society, gain a wife, become wealthy (horses and weapons)
How did they prepare for war?
Body paint, paint horses? Wore a war shirt, had a rifle and a coup stick, lances, wore amulets and carried bows and arrows
What was counting coup?
Touching the enemy to prove you were brave
Why did they scalp the dead?
Show their success and bravery, also the enemy couldn’t go to the afterlife
