Key Events and Impact on Native American Tribes

Sand Creek Massacre

1864 attack on Cheyenne and Arapaho by U.S. troops.

Fetterman Battle

1866 battle where U.S. forces were defeated by Sioux.

Battle of Little Bighorn

1876 conflict between U.S. cavalry and Sioux warriors.

Wounded Knee Massacre

1890 slaughter of 300 unarmed Sioux by U.S. troops.

Buffalo Population Decline

From 65 million in 1800 to less than 1,000 by 1890.

Boarding School Movement

Policy to assimilate Native American children into American culture.

Chisholm Trail

Major cattle driving route from Texas to Kansas.

Chicago Union Stock Yards

Famous cattle market established in 1865.

Demand for Beef

Surge in beef consumption after the Civil War.

Cattle Ranching

Profitable business developed from Texas Longhorns.

Urbanization

Growth of cities influencing cattle trade and consumption.

Sioux Tribe

Native American tribe involved in Wounded Knee and Little Bighorn.

Custer's Seventh Cavalry

U.S. military unit involved in Wounded Knee and Little Bighorn.

Vaqueros

Mexican cowboys who influenced American cattle ranching vocabulary.

Trail Drives

Transportation of cattle to railheads for shipping.

Native American Resistance

Efforts by tribes to oppose U.S. expansion and policies.

Indian Wars

Series of conflicts between U.S. settlers and Native Americans.

Cattle Drives

Movement of cattle to market, often along trails.

Abilene, Kansas

Key destination for cattle drives and rail transport.

Texas Longhorns

Cattle breed that became central to ranching economy.

Missionaries

Individuals promoting boarding schools for Native American children.