The Struggle For The Great Plains Flashcards
What were the two different groups that formed as a result of deciding how to tackle the Indian problem?
Negotiators: people who wanted a negotiated solution to the Indian problem
Exterminators: people who believed the only solution was to destroy the plains Indians
What were the negotiators view points?
- believed aggression would only make matters worse
- beloved responsibility for Indian affairs should be kept with bureau of Indian affairs, not given to US army.
- wanted to follow a policy of cultural assimilation: transform plains Indians into good Christian farmers through education and military work
What were the exterminators viewpoints?
- were people that had most to gain if Indians removed, and least most likely to suffer from Indian hostility
- thought Indians were savages
- believed bureau of Indian affairs should be kept under control of the army
- wanted a military solution to the problem (destruction)
How were Indians perceived as a problem?
- occupied land wanted by travellers, settlers, ranchers, miners and railroad companies
- stood in the way of the United States’ Manifest Destiny
Describe Little Crows War.
- 1861-62
- caused as life for Sioux was hard and faced to live on credit, yet payment didn’t arrive in June
- Sioux killed ten men
- little crow attacked Indian agency and two forts
- army reinforcements sent in
- little crow and followers set off westwards, some surrendered
- US gov won Sioux captured or sentenced death
Describe red clouds war.
- 1865-68
- caused as gold discovered in Rockies, mining trails crossed Sioux land, gov did not stop this, broke peace treaty
- Sioux attacked travellers
- red cloud attacked army
- more Indians lost than soldiers
- gov forced to admit defeat and change policy, withdrew from forts
- great Sioux reservation created, end of red clouds fighting
- red clouds power decreased.
Describe the great Sioux war.
- 1876 - 77
- caused as expedition in black hills broke fort Laramie treaty, gov made offer to but black hills, rejected
- Sioux ordered to return to reservation and army instructed to treat all outside as hostile
- battle of Little Bighorn - victory for Indians
- news reached America, great shock
- Indians split bands and were attacked through year
- too many soldiers and low on ammunition and food supplies, Indians gave in and returned to reservation
What were the weaknesses of the U.S. Army when at war with the plains Indians?
- poor quality of fighting, untrained immigrants / drunks
- soldiers deserted
- Indians moved, but army forts were immobile, harder to attack
- best soldiers left west to fight in civil war
What were the strengths of the U.S. Army when at war with the plains Indians?
- Indian scouts helped them as had knowledge about Indians
- forts gave protection, base and security
- total war
What was total war?
The U.S. Army destroyed Indians’ food and shelter meaning they had to surrender.
How did the U.S. Army become more aggressive and successful under Generals Sherman and Sheridan’s influence?
- Sheridan encouraged destruction of buffalo, realised how important it was to Indians
- Sheridan said “only good Indian is a dead Indian”, suggested genicide of Indians
- both decided to fight a winter war, Indians most vulnerable
- Sherman ‘did nothing to restrain his troops from doing what they deemed proper on the spot’
How did the mistakes made by Custer help lead to the defeat of the U.S. Army?
- he drove his men and horses hard and through night to get to Little Bighorn early, but exhausted them
- attacked sitting bull and crazy horse’s camps at LBH, despite warnings from scouts
- sacrificed his troops
- disobeyed orders
- split his forces in attack and became outnumbered
How did the achievements of the Indian leaders help lead to the defeat of the U.S. Army?
- had superior numbers (2000 against 600)
- were better armed
- half of warriors defended camp, half surrounded Custer
- good leadership qualities
How did the mistakes made by other members of the U.S. Army help lead to the defeat of the U.S. Army?
- general crook and soldiers stopped for coffee break, gave crazy horse chance of full frontal attack at rosebud creek.
Briefly summarise the life of crazy horse.
- chosen as leader of his people
- skilful warrior
- fearless and modest believer in destiny
- quiet man, except when fighting, brave
- won battle of LBH and rosebud.
