Native American Resistance

Three legends: Sitting BullChief JosephGermonimo

Overview Westward expansion is in high gear. After the Civil War the “Homestead Act”

spurred people to move West to the “Frontier. This movement was propelled by the Gold

Rush, the romantic lure of the West, and new opportunity.

Standing in the way of this advance were Native Americans.

Some would accept “relocation” peacefully. Others would not.

Returned to the US as seen here during his travels with the Wild West Shows.

He was killed for supporting the Ghost Dance Movement of the late 1880’s.

Sitting Bull

The Ghost Dance

Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show: Custer’s Last Stand

Chief Joseph One of the first Nez Perce to

convert to Christianity. Gained great fame for his

oratory. Resisted loss of Wallowa

Valley in Oregon. After a renegade attack on

white settlers by rogue Nez Perce. Joseph went on a 1400 mile march to retreat from US forces.

“Sherman” 200 v. 2000

I Will Fight No More Forever I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking

Glass is dead. Toohoolhoolzote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say, "Yes" or "No." He who led the young men [Olikut] is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are -- perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

Geronimo Apache leader whose band

was forcibly relocated to the wastelands of the SW.

Resisted this and launched sieges against settlers.

Pursued vigorously by US Army.

Brilliant military struggle. Finally relented, the last

Native American to resist US force.