Read Chapter 17: Conquering the West in The American Yawp.

How did the American military

respond to Native American resistance in the West? (Be sure to include specific examples.)

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Many American migrate to the West with the lure of gold and silver rushes. The newcomers from the
West is also settled in a place that actually become the Native Americas region. Ideological differences
between immigrants and native inhabitants caused some disagreement. Most Native America,
Approximately, 250,000 natives inhabiting the American West (AY), wandering in the territory to hunt
communally. On the other hand, the whites regarded the natives for wasting land, savage, and an obstacle
to civilization. The white population was growing from the beginning about 6000-1850 US census-widened
more than 150,000 eight years later (AY).

Hunting was terminated. Sioux eventually suffer of hunger. Finally, on August 17, 1862, five white settlers
were killed by four young men from Santees, Sioux. They renewed attacks by killing 31 men, women and
children (AY).

So what did American military do?

With the mandate of the governor of Minnesota, Militia declared war with the Sioux rebel. American
managed to break the Indian defense to end the war known as the Dakota or Sioux Uprising. During the
fighting approximately 2000 Sioux were captured (AY), those who escaped were hunted down and placed
on the reservation. Not only that, the military surrounded the large Dakota Sioux camp, killed 300 people,
and the day after tomorrow, Troops burnt winter foods and supplies to make Sioux suffer of hunger (AY).

John M. Chivington, militia leader, warned that Cheyenne was wild, dangerous and urged war. Whereas
on the other hand, Cheyenne believe that the peace agreement was the best for his people, he went to
Denver. Unfortunately, Chivington did not respond, she did the massacre and about 200 people were
killed (AY).

The slaughter known as the Sand Creek Massacre became a national scandal, this news spread and was
heard by another Native group, so the conflict was erupted. But American finally proposed a new policy
of "peace policy" and in 1868 the Indian Peace Commission was created (AY).
However, the uprising did not stop there. Many Indians who did not want to live on the reservation,
although the US military had issued a statement that the Indians who were not settled on the reservation
would be considered an enemy. The US military was also dropped to Plains to subdue them (AY).

In another place, in the northern plains, Sioux has not completely given up. Especially when Americans
violate the terms of the agreement, federal officials instead pressing the Sioux to sign a new agreement.
There was a clash between the US military and Sioux warriors, but this time was won by Sioux. Then, in
June 1876, 7th Cavalry Regiment was sent to the Black Hill and led by Custer (AY). Unfortunately, again,
this battle was won by the Sioux. Custers defeat quite surprising, any retaliation launched by American
was done by sending military to rush the resistance. Had been outnumbered, also because of starvation
during the winter, gradually Sioux laid down the army and came back to the reservation.

After reading this history, I quite concerned about the fate of the Native American tribes in which they
should be isolated in their own area due to the interests of wealth and riches. Especially hunting habits
that was changed as white people want.