Plains Indian Wars

by Marker, Sherry

• ISBN13: 9780816081844
• ISBN10: 0816081840
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-09-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

Greed, misunderstanding, and resentment characterized the relationship between early white settlers moving west and the Native American peoples of the Great Plains. As whites delved further into western territory, the U.S. government attempted to quell Indians' fears by signing treaties guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of various Native groups. The settlers and the U.S. Army, however, eventually broke almost every treaty. The series of bloody confrontations that ensued was known as the Plains Indian Wars. A fast-moving narrative, written in lively language and containing a wealth of historical detail. Plains Indian Wars, Revised Edition tells a story that will fascinate young readers.

Author Biography

Sherry marker earned a B.A. in ancient Greek from Radcliffe College and an M.A. in ancient history at the University of California at Berkeley. She has taught at Westfield State College, Elrns College, and Smith College. Marker is a freelance writer who has written extensively on many topics, among them American history and travel. In particular, she has researched and written about the Civil War and the Plains Indian Wars. General editor John s. bowman received a B.A. in English literature from Harvard University and matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge University, as Harvard's Fiske Scholar, as well as at the University of Munich. In addition to editing the Chronology of Wars in the America At War set, he is the general editor of the other 13 volumes. He has worked as an editor for almost 50 years and as a freelance writer for almost as long. Bowman has edited some 20 works on wars and military history and another 15 on general history. Among the other projects he has edited are Facts About America's Wars, World Almanac of the Vietnam War, The Civil War Almanac, and Almanac of American History.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
A cow is shot	p. 1
Sacajawea	p. 4
Westward Ho! The Trails That Led West	p. 7
Migration of Tribes onto the Great Plains, 16th-19th Centuries	p. 9
From Jamestown To Fort Laramie: Two Centuries Of Conflict	p. 13
Missionaries among the Indians	p. 19
Growth of The United States, to 1853	p. 23
Native Americans as Slaves	p. 26
Rocky Mountain Fur Trade, 1820s and 1830s	p. 29
The Great Plains And Its People	p. 31
Introduction of the Horse into North America	p. 34
The Original Mobile Home: The Tipi	p. 36
The Role of Medicine Men and Women	p. 41
War On The Southern Plains	p. 45
Great Plains Culture Area	p. 46
Gold and Other Rushes	p. 49
Sand Creek Massacre, November 29,1864	p. 51
Plains Indians and Their Dogs and Horses	p. 56
The Civil War Years And Aftermath	p. 61
Engagements with Indians, 19TH Century	p. 63
Fort Laramie: From Trading Post to National Heritage Site	p. 68
Soldier And Settler: Life During The Plains Indian Wars	p. 75
The Weapons That Took the West	p. 78
A Just War?	p. 82
Mountain Men	p. 87
Custer, Sitting Bull, And The Battle Of Little Bighorn	p. 90
How the Press Covered the Plains Indian Wars	p. 95
Battle of Little Bighorn, June 25,1876	p. 96
From Little Bighorn To The Ghost Dance	p. 103
Buffalo Bill and His Wild West Show	p. 113
Wounded Knee And After	p. 118
Wounded Knee Massacre, December 29,1890	p. 123
The Baby Who Survived Wounded Knee	p. 127
Weapons And Tactics	p. 130
Cowboys and Indians	p. 134
The Plains Indians' Secret Weapon	p. 137
History And Myth	p. 141
Transfer of Indian Land, 1850-2003	p. 142
Making Amends: The National Museum of the American Indian	p. 156
Glossary	p. 159
Further reading	p. 165
Index	p. 169
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Greed, misunderstanding, and resentment characterized the relationship between early white settlers moving west and the Native American peoples of the Great Plains. As whites delved further into western territory, the U.S. government attempted to quell Native Americans' fears by signing treaties with various tribes, guaranteeing their rights and freedoms. However, almost every treaty was eventually broken by the settlers and the army, leading to distrust. The series of bloody confrontations that ensued was known as the Plains Indian wars. A fast-moving narrative, written in lively language and containing a wealth of historical detail and vivid photographs, illustrations, and maps, Plains Indian Wars, Revised Edition tells a story that will fascinate readers. A new chapter added to this edition explains the new tactics and innovations used during this conflict.