After Civil War came Reconstruction The two stage policy

Presidential reconstruction, and congressional reconstruction

Aimed to rebuild and strengthen the country

But what did this mean for Native Americans

“Bleeding Kansas” Civil War over time for

life to move on Two senators created a

new Reconstructed Kansas

Samuel Pomeroy James Lane 1862 began the process of

passing a bill called Reconstruction for Indian

Territory

Reconstruction for Indian Territory Feb1863

Authorized President to void all treaties between USA and Cherokee Choctaw Chickasaw Seminole Muscogee (creek)

And the removal of Native Americans from Kansas

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Dennis N. Cooley

meeting at Fort Smith, summer 1865

Native Americans in attendance shocked to hear that

government wanted them to vacate Kansas and head to Indian Territory

Order to release slaves allow freed men and women to become formal

members of native nations On this point Cherokee split between

Ross and Waite Other nations used this to argue against

making final decision After 13 days of talks Cooley signed peace pacts arranged to reconvene in Washington DC

1866 Washington DC Resulting treaties

Reduced native land holding greatly And their influence over remaining land

Native Americans in Indian Territory forced to give up land for incoming Kansas nations

Government dictated terms. i.e. Seminole sold their lands in Kansas for 15c an acre purchased new land in Indian Territory for 50c an

acre

forced to give right of way through territory

allowed railroads to spread out across Indian territory

Spurred white developmentFarmers, ranches, merchants,

salon keepers overran the land

During the war numerous conflicts had taken place further west

A situation that would continue after the war

Brief example from the civil war period of action in the west

Colorado 1863

1861 February 28 Colorado territory formalized

This set of a number of small incidents across the Plains

General Samuel R. Curtis sort to punish

Encouraged by Colonel John Chivington

Methodist Minister and Indian hater

1863 Black Kettle and Lean Bear along with other Cheyenne went to Washington where they committed themselves to peace

Governor Evans of Colorado feared that this may lead to an expanded reservation

No available Federal Troops so Governor formed a Militia in the lead Chivington

April 7, 1864 reported that the Cheyenne has raided 175 head of cattle (actually cattle had strayed)

Chivington attacked and destroyed 4 Cheyenne villages

May 26, 1864 George Eayre approached camp of 250 tipis

Lean Bear one of treaty group from Washington trip Walked out and explained that they were friendly

Eayre order his men to fire Killed Lean Bear and ran

Black Kettle continued to push for peace

Visited Fort Lyon Agreed to make

peace Curtis “I want no Peace till

the Indians have suffered more”

VideoSand Creek Massacre