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Pre-Colonization
Indigenous people lived in North America long before European settlers arrived.
Columbus' Misnomer
Christopher Columbus mistakenly called indigenous people 'Indians', a term that persisted until 'Native Americans' became widely used.
Geographical Spread
Tribes were spread across North America, from coast to coast.
Introduction of Horses
Spanish explorers introduced horses to Plains Indians, enabling them to travel faster and become nomadic.
Social Structure
Tribes were divided into smaller societies or 'bands', with chiefs as leaders and a council managing affairs.
Marriages & Unity
Marriages outside the tribe were rare, leading to conflicts between tribes.
U.S. Territorial Claims
By the early 19th century, the U.S. claimed most of North America, subjecting tribes to federal regulation.
Broken Treaties & Land Grabs
Treaties were often ignored, leading to unlawful removals of tribes as white settlers coveted Indian lands.
Concentration Policy (1851)
Aimed to relocate Indians to less fertile land to accommodate white settlers.
Reservation System
Tribes like the Sioux were confined to small areas and the policy was primarily about seizing land.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Initially controlled militarily, it oversaw reservations but was plagued by corruption.
Constant Warfare
Indians resisted white encroachment, leading to ongoing battles with U.S. military forces.
Sand Creek Massacre (1864)
U.S. troops attacked and massacred about 400 Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians.
Sioux War & Battle of Little Bighorn (1876–77)
Sioux, led by Chief Sitting Bull, resisted relocation and saw Custer's forces annihilated.
Nez Perce War (1877)
Led by Chief Joseph, the Nez Perce resisted relocation but were ultimately captured.
Apache Resistance
Some Apache adapted to reservation life, while others fought a guerrilla war under Geronimo and Cochise.
Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)
U.S. troops slaughtered over 200 Sioux, marking the end of the Indian Wars.
Destruction of Buffalo
U.S. policy encouraged buffalo slaughter to weaken Indian resistance, leading to population decline.
Dawes Severalty Act (1887)
Gave each Indian family head 160 acres of land, ending tribal land ownership and losing two-thirds of Indian lands.
Cultural Survival Efforts
Modern leaders continue to fight for the preservation of Indian lands and heritage despite past assimilation efforts.
