West & Native Americans

Homestead Act

1862 law that gave western settlers up to 160 acres of public land if they lived on and improved the land for five years.

Indian Wars / Plains Wars

Conflicts between the U.S. government and Native American groups over land and control of the West.

Wounded Knee

1890 massacre in Dakota Territory where U.S. cavalry killed more than 200 Sioux men, women, and children. Often considered the end of the Indian Wars.

Dawes Act

1887 law that broke up Native American tribal lands into individual farms and encouraged Native Americans to adopt white American customs.