American West - plains Indians Flashcards
what type of people were in the tribal council?
The group of elders, medicine men and chiefs.
who were the warrior brotherhoods?
Trained young fighters who led the buffalo hunt and went to war.
what is the native American word for when a warrior gets close enough to touch an enemy without being hurt?
counting coup.
what were 2 pieces of evidence of success?
stealing horses and taking scalps of enemy.
what did white Americans describe the plains Indians as?
savages
why did the plains Indians fight?
To protect their hunting grounds or steal horses.
why didn’t plains Indians fight?
for land.
who was the great spirit ?
The one that created the world.
what did the plains Indians believe about nature and people?
everything was equal and sacred?
what were dances used for?
whole tribe needed to contact the spirits
whats an example of sacred land to the Sioux tribe?
Black hills of Dakota
could land be owned?
no. couldn’t be bought or owned as it belonged to everyone.
why was the buffalo so important?
It was the main source of their living. they would hunt the buffalo and use each part ensuring not to waste it.
what helped ensure plains Indians nomadic lifestyle?
living in tipis
what were the role of horses?
They were needed to hunt and for constant travel.
what was wealth measured in ?
horses
what were women’s roles in the tribe?
To look after the home and to feed the family’s.
what were men’s roles in the tribe?
responsible for hunting, looking after the horses and protecting the band’s.
what was manifest destiny?
The idea that it was God’s will that white Americans should settle over all America.
what is polygamy ?
having more than one wife.
what were conditions like on the great plains?
extreme weather
what order did the route West follow? (EveryAmericanMustGoRiddingPast(the)SiouxProspecting)
Eastern lowlands // Appalachian mountains // Mississippi river // great plains // Rocky mountains // plateau // sierra Nevada // Pacific ocean
what was important about the tipis?
They were strong, made from buffalo ans easily packed up in 10 mins.
what was a sun dance?
A ceremony to make sure the sun would come back each day. usually involved a great deal of pain.
