Reasons for Conflict + Tension + First Fort Laramie Treaty

Question 1

Why did tensions increase between white settlers and Plains Indians?

Answer 1

because the numbers of migrants using the Oregon trail to cross Indian lands grew

Question 2

what event contributed largely to tensions between PI and white migrants

Answer 2

1849 - Discovery of gold in California

Question 3

what was the consequence of the discovery of gold

Answer 3

• serious problems for PI along the Trail because migrants disrupted buffalo hunting
• PI way of hunting buffalo depended on managing the herd carefully , white migrants spooked buffalo –> caused stampedes
• Thousands of migrants = thousands of oxen pulling wagons + livestock
  –> Shortage of grass for animals PI hunted + their horses

Question 4

What were the reasons for tension between settlers and Plains Indians?

Answer 4

• Huge increase in migrants along the Oregon Trail increased pressures on food supplies for Plains Indians, because the migrants disturbed the buffalo herds
• Less food = more conflicts between tribes
• this lead to white fears of Indian attack since caught up in tribal conflict , scared each other with stories of attacks , misunderstood intentions

Question 5

what did migrants demand as a result of all this tension + conflict

Answer 5

demand to US Government to provide protection
- build forts along Oregon Trail so soldiers could break any hostile PI threat

Question 6

what did the demands of the white migrants lead to

Answer 6

Fort Laramie Treaty

Question 7

when was the Fort Laramie Treaty

Answer 7

1851

Question 8

what were the main terms of the Fort Laramie Treaty (1851) for the Plain Indians

Answer 8

• Territories set out for Plains Indian tribes
• end the fighting between tribes
• White migrants allowed into Indian territories in safety
• permit Railroad surveyors and military posts in Indian territories
• allow government to build roads through lands and construct army posts
• pay compensation in any individuals from their tribe broke Treaty terms

Question 9

what were the main terms of the Fort Laramie Treaty (1851) for the US Gov

Answer 9

• protect Plain Indians from white Americans (including migrants settling of PI land)
• pat the tribes an annuity of $50,000 as long as Treaty terms were kept

Question 10

list the number of problems that negotiators faced when trying to reach agreement on the Treaty (4)

Answer 10

• choosing 1 chief for each tribe : indigenous society did not work that way, esp Sioux nation
• precise boundaries: gov wanted to pin down precise boundaries for each tribe - but PI did not recognise boundaries drawn on maps as they did not use their land in this way –> bands travelled far & wide to find food
• Translation difficulty - Treaty written in English - not enough translators to ensure all tribes understood
• some PI tribes did not attend , those that did were more interested in gov’s food + gifts rather than the Council + its decisions

Question 11

what was the consequence of tribes receiving resources from gov

Answer 11

• Loss of Independence + Subservient to US gov’s aid, as they relied of gov for food
• used as a lever - had to obey gov’s commands

Question 12

what was the consequence of territories being set out for indigenous tribes

Answer 12

first step towards reservations

Question 13

what was the consequence of allowing white settlers across Indian territories

Answer 13

undermined Permanent Indian frontier

Question 14

what was the consequence of allowing rails being built + military posts in Indian territory

Answer 14

• increase white settlement - easier + more convenient to travel safely to west across Great Plain
• could cause more reservations in the future