The First

Americans

Native People

Led a Nomadic Hunting LifestyleDepended on the Buffalo for Nearly Everything.

American Thirst for LandHomesteaders moved onto the Plains seeking land to settle and farm.Treaties with Native Tribes made land available for settlers and left less valuable land for the Native People.

American Thirst for LandGold discoveries led to encroachments on Indian Lands.U.S. pushed Native People to move onto ReservationsNative people fought to preserve their land.

Buffalo HuntingConducted by the Railroads

to provide meat for work crews.Promoted by the U.S. Government to weaken Native Americans on the Great Plains

Native LeadersLakota (Sioux) Comanche Sitting Bull Crazy Horse Quanah Parker

Native LeadersApache Nez Perce

Geronimo Chief Joseph

ResistanceThe Northern Plains tribes defeated George Custer and the

7th Cavalry at the Little Bighorn.Custer and over 200 men were killed.The Lakota eventually moved to

the Reservation anyway.

ResistanceThe Comanche were defeated at Palo Duro Canyon by Ranald MacKenzie and the 4th Cavalry.U.S. forces destroyed the Comanche horse herdsComanche were forced to move

to the Reservation

ResistanceGeronimo and a small band of Apache fought against U.S. encroachment for over 10 Years.Over 5000 U.S. troops were used to locate Geronimo’s band.Geronimo surrendered to General George Crook in 1886

ResistanceThe Nez Perce fled their homeland and fought a series of battles with the U.S. Army that covered over 1500 miles.Forced to surrender less than 40 miles from Canada & freedom.Upon surrendering, Chief Joseph said “From where the suns now stands, I will fight no more forever.”

Reservation LifeNative people were forced to rely on corrupt Indian agents

for food, shelter & all necessities of life.Agents took money intended

for the Indians, & bought the cheapest supplies available.Agents kept leftover money for themselves.

AmericanizationNative children were taken from the reservations and placed in boarding schools.Children were forced to learn American culture.

The Dawes Act of 1887"An Act to Provide for the Allotment of Lands to Indians on Reservations," Emphasized treatment of Native Americans as individuals rather than as members of tribes.Goal was to eliminate the reservation system.

The Land RushesThe Oklahoma Land Rush of

1889 was the first land rush. The area opened to settlement

included part of the present-day state of Oklahoma.

An estimated 50,000 people lined up for their piece of the available two million acres.

The Land RushesMany people entered the

unoccupied land early & hid until the legal time of entry to lay quick claim to some of the most choice land.

These people became known as "Sooners."