🌶️new mexico history review

key term - Cheyenne

Definition

The Cheyenne are a Native American tribe originally from the Great Plains, primarily located in present-day Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. Known for their rich cultural traditions and history, the Cheyenne played a crucial role in the dynamics of trade and cultural exchange along the Santa Fe Trail, influencing and being influenced by various groups that traversed this important route.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Cheyenne tribe traditionally practiced a nomadic lifestyle, relying heavily on bison hunting for food, clothing, and tools, which they hunted in large groups during seasonal migrations.
  2. The arrival of traders on the Santa Fe Trail during the early 1800s led to increased interaction between the Cheyenne and European Americans, resulting in both trade opportunities and conflicts over resources.
  3. Cheyenne warriors were known for their bravery and skill in battle, often engaging in conflicts to protect their territory from encroachment by settlers and rival tribes.
  4. The Cheyenne participated in the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, a tragic event where U.S. Army troops attacked a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho people, highlighting tensions between Native Americans and settlers.
  5. Despite facing significant challenges due to westward expansion, the Cheyenne have maintained their cultural identity and continue to celebrate their traditions through ceremonies, arts, and storytelling.

Review Questions

  • How did the Cheyenne adapt their trading practices in response to the influx of traders along the Santa Fe Trail?
    • The Cheyenne adapted their trading practices by engaging with traders from various cultures who traveled along the Santa Fe Trail. They began to trade bison hides, horses, and other goods for European manufactured items such as firearms, metal tools, and textiles. This exchange not only enhanced their material culture but also allowed them to navigate new economic relationships while maintaining aspects of their traditional lifestyle.
  • Discuss the impact of westward expansion on the Cheyenne community and their interactions with other tribes along the Santa Fe Trail.
    • Westward expansion significantly impacted the Cheyenne community by disrupting their traditional hunting grounds and leading to increased competition for resources with other tribes and settlers. As more settlers arrived along the Santa Fe Trail, tensions escalated between the Cheyenne and European Americans, resulting in conflicts over land ownership. Additionally, alliances formed between some tribes while others faced direct competition for dwindling resources, forcing the Cheyenne to reassess their strategies for survival.
  • Evaluate the long-term effects of the Sand Creek Massacre on the Cheyenne's relationship with the United States government and its impact on their cultural identity.
    • The Sand Creek Massacre had profound long-term effects on the Cheyenne's relationship with the United States government. It solidified a sense of mistrust and resentment towards federal authority as it highlighted the brutal realities of westward expansion. The massacre also prompted changes within Cheyenne leadership structures as they sought better protection for their people. Despite these challenges, it became a pivotal moment that strengthened their resolve to preserve cultural identity through revitalization efforts, creating a narrative of resilience that continues to shape their community today.