The American West Topic Summaries

Impact on Plains Indians’ ways of life

GCSE > History > AQA > GCSE History: The American West (1835-1895) > Later developments in the West (1877–1895) > Impact on Plains Indians’ ways of life
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Key terms
  • The hunting and extermination of the buffalo:
    • Buffalo were slaughtered for their hides, which became valuable for leather and clothing by 1871.
    • Buffalo meat was also used to feed railroad construction workers.
    • Many buffalo were simply killed for sport.
    • The buffalo population dropped from 13 million in 1865 to near extinction by the end of the century. This devastated Native Americans, who relied on them for food and resources, forcing them to depend on government rations.
    • The government used the extermination of buffalo as a strategy to force Native Americans onto reservations and assimilate them.
  • The Dawes Act (1887):
    • The Dawes Act divided tribal lands into individual allotments, allocating 160 acres to each Indian family, 80 acres to single adults, and 40 acres to orphans under 18.
    • Native Americans who accepted allotments were encouraged to adopt farming and American customs, and some were granted US citizenship. However, they could not sell the land for 25 years. Any remaining land was sold to white settlers and corporations.
    • The aims were to free up reservation land for settlers, reduce government costs, and encourage Native Americans to assimilate by farming.
    • By 1890, Native Americans had lost half their land, often through trickery or inability to farm the poor land, ultimately weakening tribal culture and authority.
  • Plains Indians’ life on the reservations:
    • Reservation land was often infertile and unsuitable for growing crops.
    • Indian agency police and agents were appointed by the government; while some improved food and clothing quality, many were corrupt and stole resources. The power of Indian chiefs declined as Indian agents took over leadership roles.
    • Living conditions were poor, with disease spreading due to inadequate food and medical care.
    • Indian children were sent to schools to learn ‘civilised’ American values and were forced to abandon traditional customs, clothing, beliefs, and practices.
  • The Wounded Knee Massacre (1890):
    • Native Americans on reservations were disillusioned due to failed crops and food rationing. 
    • After the Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull was killed by police, his followers fled south with Spotted Elk/Big Foot.
    • On December 29, 1890, the Sioux were captured by the army and taken to Wounded Knee Creek.
    • The confrontation escalated, and soldiers opened fire with rifles and artillery, killing around 150–300 Lakota, including women and children in 10 minutes.
    • The massacre marked the definitive end of armed Native American resistance on the Plains and became a symbol of US brutality toward Indigenous peoples. 
  • The Closure of the Indian Frontier:
    • In 1890, the US government declared the closure of the Indian frontier, claiming complete control over the West. 
    • Native Americans no longer owned their land, and the mission of Manifest Destiny was considered complete, with settlements continuing to expand.

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