Plains Indians American West Wars Factfile

Red Cloud’s War
Crow Creek Massacre
President Grant’s Peace Policy

1. Little Crow’s War - 1862
Little Crow led around 12,000 Santee Sioux. After not being paid, and poor crop yields, Dog Soldiers decided to
retaliate. They attacked government warehouses - they took food and supplies and killed over 700 settlers. The
government then put 400 of the Sioux on trial as a punishment (but President Lincoln intervened) and only 38 were
executed. The remaining Sioux were punished by being moved onto a smaller barren reservation that had no clean water,
called Crow Creek. Nearly 400 died in the first winter.
This was unsuccessful for the Sioux as they ended up being punished and moved onto a worse reservation.
The Sand Creek Massacre - 1864•67
After gold had been discovered in Colorado and settlers migrated, tribes were moved to smaller reservations. Many Dog Soldiers
rejected this Treaty, leading to 3 years of conflict. Black Kettle believed he had coke to a peaceful solution, however Colonel
Chivington was ordered to kill the Plains Indians at Sand Creek. Over 130 were massacred. The remaining Plains Indians were
forced onto more reservations.
This was unsuccessful for the Plains Indians as many were killed and moved onto small reservations.
Red Cloud’s War - 1866•68
After gold was discovered in Montana, settlers began to break the Treaty again. The chief Red Cloud decided to fight against the settlers, he
trapped and killed 80 soldiers, including Captain William Fetterman. After realising they could not win this fight, the government moved the
Sioux to the Great Sioux Reservation.
This was successful for the Plains Indians as they were given a larger reservation.

2. Battle of Little Bighorn - 1876
After the US Army was defeated, views of the Plains Indians hardened as they were now seen as a threat. General Custer decided to
attack the Sioux with only 600 men helping him. However, he was outnumbered and they were killed. After the battle, the Sioux’s weapons
were confiscated and they were made dependent on the government.
Wounded Knee Massacre - 1890
When a member of the Sioux had a vision of the dead coming to help, he began a Ghost Dance ritual, to bring back the dead. The US Army
had taken Sitting Bull and Big Foot’s men to Wounded Knee Creek. However, during the ritual, a Plains Indian was shot and the massacre
had begun. 250 Sioux were killed.
This was slightly successful for the Plains Indians as they had beaten Custer, however they were then moved onto small reservations and were dependent
on the government for supplies.
This was not successful for the Plains Indians as many were killed and the general public agreed with the massacre.
Aaliya Rahman