Last Stand at Little Bighorn - 9.6.16

Today during class we watched a VHS film about how western expansion affected the Indian Tribes already settled there.

To the Americans, the Indians were an obstacle to progress. Because of this, the Americans believed it to be in their best interests to get rid of the Indians completely to free up the much-needed land. Of course, this angered many of the Indian tribes. One Indian, Spotted Horse, had a vision that foresaw the coming of many white Americans to Indian lands. The settlers were described as ants; too many and never ending. Several white settlers attempted a peace treaty with the Lakota Tribe, known as the Laramie Treaty. In this treaty, the Lakota got a large territory near the Black Hills, which were very sacred to them, and the Americans would stay away. However, one American, General Sherman, warned the Lakota that this treaty was only temporary, and he urged them to adopt the white man's ways to avoid extermination.

This unfair treatment of Indians is one example of many throughout history that showcase the power of the majority. The white Americans believed in progress, so they used their overbearing resources to kick the Indians off their land. This pattern can be seen in several cases in history, which can make a person wonder what's next.