7. The Indian Wars

Question 1

Custer’s last stand

Answer 1

• June 25th 1876, united force of Cheyenne and Lakota defeated general George Armstrong Custer and 215 american soldiers
• military victory for Indians
• during retaliation a Cheyenne names Yellow Hair was killed and Buffalo Bill took his scalp (first scalp for Custer)

Question 2

The Indian Wars

Answer 2

• between americans/whites and Indians
• caused by white incursion of Indian lands, cattle runs, gold finds, railroad extension and settlers
• wars extended from 1860s to 1890s
• indians removed onto reservations

Question 3

Reasons for Indian Loss

Answer 3

• white population continually expanding
• no unity among tribes
• technological superiority and white resources
• determination of US army
• buffalo eliminated by white army
• capture of chief Geronimo

Question 4

The Ghost Dance

Answer 4

• movement began in 1869/1870

- last stand of Indian Wars

Question 5

White attitudes towards Indians

Answer 5

• eliminationist view: ‘the best indian is a dead indian’
• obstructionist view: indian as an impediment to progress and civilization
• view of Indian as a noble savage (romanticizes the past of the Indians) highly critical of white injustices against the indians
• assimilationist view: make them americans (they must be educated, civilized and christianized)0

Question 6

Dawes Severalty Act (1887)

Answer 6

Allowed president to give/allot portions of reservation land to individual indians (160 acres to head of family, 80 to others) to establish private farms. If they willingly assume responsibility for land they receive an american citizenship after 25 years

Question 7

Residential Schools

Answer 7

• intended to be a humane and civilized way to ‘take the indian out of the children’ and christianize them
• harsh punishments were given, public humiliation
• not teaching them to be american the same way the whites were taught
• removal of children from families
• ethno-cultural condescension
• absence of compassion and empathy