Learn on PengiIMPACT California Social Studies, Grade 8Chapter 17: Opening the West

Lesson 3: Native American Struggles

In this Grade 8 lesson from IMPACT California Social Studies, Chapter 17, students examine how westward settlement threatened the culture and survival of Native American peoples of the Great Plains, focusing on the decline of the buffalo herds, the forced relocation onto reservations, and U.S. government actions against tribes such as the Lakota Sioux. Students analyze primary sources, including a quote from Sitting Bull, to understand the human impact of these conflicts. The lesson builds historical thinking skills by asking students to identify and diagram specific government policies that disrupted Native American ways of life.

Section 1

The Plains Buffalo Culture Under Threat

Key Idea

For centuries, Plains Indians lived as nomads, following vast buffalo herds across the American West. Their entire culture was deeply connected to the buffalo, which provided food, shelter, and tools. The horse, introduced earlier by the Spanish, transformed them into skilled hunters and formidable warriors.

As American settlers and railroads pushed west after the Civil War, this way of life came under threat. Railroads divided the plains, and hunters began a massive slaughter of the buffalo, nearly driving them to extinction. This destroyed the foundation of the Plains Indians' survival.

Section 2

Broken Treaties and the Reservation System

Key Idea

As American settlers moved west, the U.S. government created a policy to move Native Americans onto specific, limited areas of land called reservations. This policy was designed to clear the way for railroads and new settlements, confining tribes to lands that were often undesirable.

Government officials used treaties to acquire tribal lands, but these agreements were often deceptive or ignored. Many broken treaties, like the one that took the Black Hills from the Sioux, led to distrust and conflict. When treaties failed, the U.S. Army used force to remove Native peoples.

Section 3

The Plains Wars Raged Across the West

Key Idea

As American settlers and miners moved onto lands belonging to Plains Indian nations, leaders like Red Cloud and Sitting Bull organized a fierce resistance. From 1860 to 1890, they fought to defend their ancestral territories and way of life from the U.S. Army.

The Sioux and Cheyenne won a major victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Despite this success, the U.S. government continued its relentless campaign to control the West and its resources.

Section 4

Forced Assimilation and Cultural Destruction

Key Idea

After the wars, the U.S. government tried to destroy Native American cultures through a policy of assimilation. This policy was designed to force Native peoples to abandon their traditions and adopt the lifestyles of white Americans.

Two key methods were used to achieve this goal. The Dawes Act of 1887 broke up tribal lands and gave small plots to individual families, undermining communal life. The government also created boarding schools, where children were separated from their families and forbidden from speaking their native languages or practicing their customs.

Lesson overview

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Section 1

The Plains Buffalo Culture Under Threat

Key Idea

For centuries, Plains Indians lived as nomads, following vast buffalo herds across the American West. Their entire culture was deeply connected to the buffalo, which provided food, shelter, and tools. The horse, introduced earlier by the Spanish, transformed them into skilled hunters and formidable warriors.

As American settlers and railroads pushed west after the Civil War, this way of life came under threat. Railroads divided the plains, and hunters began a massive slaughter of the buffalo, nearly driving them to extinction. This destroyed the foundation of the Plains Indians' survival.

Section 2

Broken Treaties and the Reservation System

Key Idea

As American settlers moved west, the U.S. government created a policy to move Native Americans onto specific, limited areas of land called reservations. This policy was designed to clear the way for railroads and new settlements, confining tribes to lands that were often undesirable.

Government officials used treaties to acquire tribal lands, but these agreements were often deceptive or ignored. Many broken treaties, like the one that took the Black Hills from the Sioux, led to distrust and conflict. When treaties failed, the U.S. Army used force to remove Native peoples.

Section 3

The Plains Wars Raged Across the West

Key Idea

As American settlers and miners moved onto lands belonging to Plains Indian nations, leaders like Red Cloud and Sitting Bull organized a fierce resistance. From 1860 to 1890, they fought to defend their ancestral territories and way of life from the U.S. Army.

The Sioux and Cheyenne won a major victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Despite this success, the U.S. government continued its relentless campaign to control the West and its resources.

Section 4

Forced Assimilation and Cultural Destruction

Key Idea

After the wars, the U.S. government tried to destroy Native American cultures through a policy of assimilation. This policy was designed to force Native peoples to abandon their traditions and adopt the lifestyles of white Americans.

Two key methods were used to achieve this goal. The Dawes Act of 1887 broke up tribal lands and gave small plots to individual families, undermining communal life. The government also created boarding schools, where children were separated from their families and forbidden from speaking their native languages or practicing their customs.