Native American Civil Rights 1865-1992 Specification Questions
Describe and Explain the Native American position in 1865.
- westward expansion began in the mid-1800s, causing the Indians to be moved from their
traditional lands (Indian Removal Act 1830)
- several treaties had been made between the federal government and Native Americans
(Medicine Lodge 1867, Fort Laramie I 1851, Fort Laramie II 1868) causing them to lose land
- 1864 Sand Creek Massacre caused reluctant peace agreements
- tribes were beginning to be moved onto reservations in an attempt to assimilate
Describe and explain the impact of the Plains Wars 1854-1877.
- Fort Laramie had set boundaries for the northern tribes, but these were soon violated
- America was at civil war, enabling the Native Americans to have short lived victories, which
reinforced the general view of the Indians as savage and violent
- Cheyenne and Arapaho annihilated at Sand Creek 1864, showing the lengths that the
government would go to to assert their control over the Great Plains
- Red Cloud War 1866-67 reached a stalemate and received guaranteed boundaries in 1868
treaty
- Little Bighorn 1876 general Custer wiped out along with cavalry, causing the Sioux to lose
the Black Hills and all treaties cancelled
Analyse and evaluate the impact of the Plains Wars 1854-1877.
SUCCESSES
- reflected the self-determination and strength of the Native Americans against the
government through their determination to keep their lands
FAILURES
- victories were short term, and the government soon became stronger against the Native
Americans after the civil war
- reinforced the general view towards the Indians of a savage, less-developed and violent
race of people
- Sand Creek shows the extent the government would go to to ensure their strength and
show the powerlessness of the Indians
- Little Bighorn caused the Sioux to lose their sacred lands and cancelled all treaties made
with them
Describe the impact of industrialisation on Native Americans.
- industrialisation quickened the pace of westward expansion, causing Native Americans to
lose their land and catalysing the reservation process
- Dawes Act 1887 gave some Native Americans citizenship and offered them land on an
equal basis to whites in the Homestead Act 1862
- reservations offered better healthcare and ensured the continuation of tribal practices,
however off reservation boarding schools destroyed culture, supplies were limited, disease
spread quickly, and many lived in poverty
- Wounded Knee 1890 shows the hostile attitude of federal government towards the Native
Americans
Describe and Explain the Native American position in 1865.
- westward expansion began in the mid-1800s, causing the Indians to be moved from their
traditional lands (Indian Removal Act 1830)
- several treaties had been made between the federal government and Native Americans
(Medicine Lodge 1867, Fort Laramie I 1851, Fort Laramie II 1868) causing them to lose land
- 1864 Sand Creek Massacre caused reluctant peace agreements
- tribes were beginning to be moved onto reservations in an attempt to assimilate
Describe and explain the impact of the Plains Wars 1854-1877.
- Fort Laramie had set boundaries for the northern tribes, but these were soon violated
- America was at civil war, enabling the Native Americans to have short lived victories, which
reinforced the general view of the Indians as savage and violent
- Cheyenne and Arapaho annihilated at Sand Creek 1864, showing the lengths that the
government would go to to assert their control over the Great Plains
- Red Cloud War 1866-67 reached a stalemate and received guaranteed boundaries in 1868
treaty
- Little Bighorn 1876 general Custer wiped out along with cavalry, causing the Sioux to lose
the Black Hills and all treaties cancelled
Analyse and evaluate the impact of the Plains Wars 1854-1877.
SUCCESSES
- reflected the self-determination and strength of the Native Americans against the
government through their determination to keep their lands
FAILURES
- victories were short term, and the government soon became stronger against the Native
Americans after the civil war
- reinforced the general view towards the Indians of a savage, less-developed and violent
race of people
- Sand Creek shows the extent the government would go to to ensure their strength and
show the powerlessness of the Indians
- Little Bighorn caused the Sioux to lose their sacred lands and cancelled all treaties made
with them
Describe the impact of industrialisation on Native Americans.
- industrialisation quickened the pace of westward expansion, causing Native Americans to
lose their land and catalysing the reservation process
- Dawes Act 1887 gave some Native Americans citizenship and offered them land on an
equal basis to whites in the Homestead Act 1862
- reservations offered better healthcare and ensured the continuation of tribal practices,
however off reservation boarding schools destroyed culture, supplies were limited, disease
spread quickly, and many lived in poverty
- Wounded Knee 1890 shows the hostile attitude of federal government towards the Native
Americans
