Plight of the Native Americans 1851-1890
History Lab
Lab Creator: Ms. Stedman Instructions:
1. Carefully read each of the documents below.
- Begin with the overview: 1870s-1890s: U.S. control of American
Indians under the reference links
- Then, read the primary source documents.
- Also, read "The Plains Indians" under the reference links (it may
be helpful to read this prior to reading the Battle of Little
Bighorn, the Dawes Act and the Battle of Wounded Knee).
2. Then, answer the questions found under the Inquiry Questions on
the right. Students are to write their responses in paragraph form.
The final product should be no less than three and no more than five
typed, doubled spaced pages in length. Due 1/31
1. Compare and contrast the treaties between the U.S. and the Native
Americans in 1851, 1868, and 1887. Pay particular attention to the
land boundaries (can you find them on a map?) established by the
treaties, requirements of the natives, and provisions provided by
the U.S. government.
2. Describe the conflicts between the U.S. and the Natives:
- What caused the conflicts?
- Who initiated the conflicts?
- How did each side respond to the other?
3. Assess the situation
- Was one side more "in the right" than the other?
- Was the treatment of the natives moral and just?
- Who do you hold responsible for the conflict? Why?
4. Evaluate the Dawes treaty of 1887. Whose interests does it best
serve? Why?
5. Weigh the rights of the Natives with the desires / needs of the
U.S. government. Can you propose a better solution to this conflict?