Unit 5 SAQ: How did westward expansion during the mid- to late-1800s change life for Native Americans?

Sen. 1

In the 1800s white settlers had one desire and that was to get more and more land, to do this they would have to move west but they were moving onto Native American land.

Sen. 2

Westward expansion caused cultural changes through Native Americans attending boarding schools, it also caused treaties to not be followed like the Treaty of Fort Laramie.

Sen. 3

These key issues mostly affected the younger generations of Native Americans by how they grew up and viewed the American government.

Sen. 4

In the late 1800s, Native American kids were forced to go to boarding schools, this is when Native Americans started to see their kids lose touch with their culture while they also started to develop the white man's culture.

Sen. 5

While in boarding schools Native American kids were not allowed to speak their Native language, wear the same clothes, or have their hair long.

Sen. 6

All of these were crucial parts of Native American culture.

Sen. 7

In boarding school they would cut Native Americans' hair this caused them to feel defeated and like a coward because cutting off their hair goes against their culture and everything that they grew up knowing.

Sen. 8

Lakota kids grew up knowing that the American government wouldn’t follow through with any treaties they would sign.

Sen. 9

The Treaty of Fort Laramie is just one example of a treaty that wasn’t being followed by Americans.

Sen. 10

Younger generations of the Lakota took notice of this, and it makes them wonder why keep signing treaties if they aren’t going to be followed?

Sen. 11

Instead of getting along with Americans like they used to, now the younger generation won't be so willing to sign treaties and will want to go to war.

Sen. 12

These issues all stemmed from westward expansion causing the younger generation to lose their Native culture while in boarding school, and they were also not able to trust the American government.