Early settlement Flashcards
1
Q
What were bands?
A
- most people in a band were related to each other
- bands had a chief and a council of advisors
- the surivival of the band was more important than individuals
2
Q
What were chiefs?
A
- chosen because of their skills as warriors/hunters
- decided where the band would go
- did not have to be obeyed
3
Q
What were tribes?
A
- bands in the same tribe supported each other during crises
- tribal meetings were held each year to arrange marriages, trade horses and discuss issues
- some tribes (e.g. the Sioux) were part of larger groups called nations
4
Q
What were warrior societies?
A
- the best warriors from each band formed the warrior society
- members supervised hunting and protected their bands from attack
5
Q
How did the Plains Indians view leadership?
A
- no decision could be made until everyone at the council agreed to it
- the rest of the tribe or band didn’t have to obey the decision
- chiefs and elders were often guided by the spirit world through visions
6
Q
What was the role of men in a band?
A
Hunted and fought enemies
7
Q
What was the role of women in the band?
A
Made clothes, fed the family and looked after the tipi
8
Q
What was the role of children in the band?
A
- Everyone looked after them
- Taught the skills of their parents
9
Q
What was the role of the elderly in the band?
A
- respected for their wisdom
-left behind if their weakness threatened the band
10
Q
What were the Great Plains like?
A
- Very dry
- Very hot summers and extremely cold winters
11
Q
What were the buffalo used for?
A
- every part of buffalo used for food, clothing & equipment
12
Q
Why were horses important?
A
- made it quicker and easier to catch buffalo
- wealth and status were measured by how many horses an Indian or tribe had
- used in war
13
Q
What type of lifestyle did the Plains Indians have?
A
- nomadic
- followed buffalo migrations
14
Q
Why were tipis important?
A
- made of wood & covered in buffalo hide
- cone shape protected against strong winds
- flaps provided ventilation in the summer heat
- could be taken down and packed away in minutes
15
Q
Consequences of nomadic lifestyle
A
- Tribes found it very difficult to live permanently on reservations because they were used to travelling and hunting freely
16
Q
Beliefs about nature
A
- everything in nature had a spirit
- humans should work with the spirits of nsture not try to control it
- they could contact the spirit world through visions and dances
17
Q
Beliefs about land
A
- tribes had sacred areas e.g. for the Lakota Sioux it was the Black Hills
- no one owned the land, it could not be bought and sold
18
Q
Attitudes to war
A
- high respect was given to warriors for counting coup: landing a blow on an enemy without being injured
- indian war parties would run away if a fight turned against them
19
Q
When was the Indian Removal Act?
A
1830
20
Q
What did the Indian Removal Act do?
A
- forced Indians in the eastern states to move west of the Mississippi River
21
Q
When was the Permanent Indian Frontier?
A
- 1834
- Indian Trade and Intercourse Act
- was meant to keep Natives and white people separate
