Affected the Lives of Native Americans
The 1868 Treaty of Laramie between the native Sioux Indians and the United States, changed the course of native Indian nomadic life forever. The treaty called for peace on both parties; however the treaty was written and filed by the United States government. The native Indian culture did not have “government” and did not live by written code. This essay will define how this treaty changed the course of life for the native Indians and boosted western expansion.
The Sioux Indians and their fathers have roamed the North America long before English settlers came. However, war like differences occurred with settlers showing up on what they thought was their land. In 1865, an American Colonel attacked an Indian camp and massacred mostly woman and children. In 1867, Chief Kiowa stated, ““A long time ago this land belonged to our fathers; but when I go up to the river I see camps of soldiers here on its bank. These soldiers cut down my timber; they kill my buffalo; and when I see that, my heart feels like bursting; I feel sorry.” . It was clear that the Native Indians were not fond of having settlers living on their land.
After years of trials and tribulations, behold came the Treaty of Laramie in 1868, which called for peace. Soon after the Treaty became effective, western civilization began to take over. In 1874, General Powell made a bold statement as to how he felt on the importance of the Indians to live in homes, work, go to school and learn the English language. This was the kick start to the movement that insisted on pushing the education and civilization of the Native Indian people. It wasn’t always a smooth transition; there was a lot of friction and tension coming from both the natives and the Americans. The culture shock between the two caused issues and some natives did not want to become civilized. A General during that time once said that “A good Indian is a dead one”. In essence, they wanted to abolish all tribal culture so the Indian in them would be killed and the man in them would be saved.
The United States also intercepted with the use and business of buffalo. The Native Indians lived a life dependent on the buffalo. They would resource the entire buffalo for meat, hide and other beneficial ways. In 1878, there was noted a United States business that operated a buffalo hide yard that sold a mass amount of buffalo hide. Soon after, what was considered Indian Territory was being sold off by the United States government. As time went on more laws, regulations, doctrines and treaties all were created to slowly drive out the native culture. The United States later urged native Indians to no longer live in villages and to become farmers. Some natives struggled with this but one native Indian, Edward Goodbird, embraced this change.
The native Indians roamed North America long before settlers. And the settlers settled and with their long history of civilization, took over and changed the course of North America. Unfortunately, many wars were fought and many people lost their lives over their differences. In the end, the Treaty and all the aftermath that followed carried out a new direction in the lives of the native Indians. As time went on, native tribes settled into civilization and life began to flourish to what we know now because of western expansion.
Works Cited
Goodbird, Edward. Goodbird the Indian, His Story. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1914. Print.
Pratt, Richard H. The Advantages of Mingling Indians with Whites, Americanizing the American Indians: Writings by the Friends of the Indian . Cambridge: Harvard Univeristy Press, 1892. Web.
Smithsonian Source. Resources for Teaching American History. 18 June 2015. Digital Dox in a Box. Web.
