Medicine Lodge Treaty

Definition

The Medicine Lodge Treaty, signed in 1867, was an agreement between the United States government and several Plains Indian tribes, including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Comanche. This treaty aimed to establish peace between these tribes and settlers, while also relocating them to reservations in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). It is significant for its role in the Plains Indian Wars and as part of a broader pattern of treaties and agreements made during the period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Medicine Lodge Treaty was one of three major treaties signed at the Medicine Lodge Creek in Kansas, aimed at promoting peace and relocating tribes.
2. It promised various provisions to the tribes, including supplies, education, and agricultural assistance, which were largely unfulfilled by the U.S. government.
3. The treaty reflected a shift in U.S. policy from open warfare to attempting to control Plains tribes through treaties and reservations.
4. Despite the treaty, many Plains Indian tribes continued to resist U.S. encroachment on their lands, leading to further conflicts known as the Plains Indian Wars.
5. The failure to uphold treaty obligations by the U.S. government led to mistrust among Native American tribes and contributed to ongoing tensions and violence.

Review Questions

• How did the Medicine Lodge Treaty attempt to address conflicts between Plains Indian tribes and settlers?
  • The Medicine Lodge Treaty sought to resolve conflicts by establishing designated reservations for Plains Indian tribes and promising peaceful coexistence with settlers. By relocating tribes to Indian Territory, it aimed to reduce tensions over land use and resources. However, the treaty's effectiveness was undermined by unfulfilled promises from the U.S. government regarding supplies and support for agricultural practices, which left many tribes dissatisfied and distrustful.
• Analyze the impact of the Medicine Lodge Treaty on the relationships between Plains Indian tribes and the U.S. government in the context of the Plains Indian Wars.
  • The Medicine Lodge Treaty significantly affected relationships between Plains Indian tribes and the U.S. government by formalizing a process of relocation and establishing reservations. While it aimed to promote peace, many tribes felt betrayed when promised provisions were not delivered. This breach of trust fueled resistance among tribes against U.S. policies, leading to increased hostilities during the Plains Indian Wars as tribes fought to protect their remaining lands and way of life.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Medicine Lodge Treaty on Native American sovereignty and cultural preservation.
  • The long-term consequences of the Medicine Lodge Treaty severely impacted Native American sovereignty and cultural preservation. By forcing tribes onto reservations and failing to honor treaty obligations, it contributed to a loss of traditional lands, resources, and autonomy. This displacement disrupted cultural practices and social structures among Native American communities, leading to ongoing struggles for recognition, rights, and cultural revival as they navigated a landscape dominated by settler colonialism.

Related terms

Reservation System: A policy that designated specific areas of land for Native American tribes, often resulting in loss of their traditional territories and ways of life.

Plains Indian Wars: A series of conflicts in the late 19th century between the United States government and various Native American tribes over land and resources.

Treaty of Fort Laramie:

An 1851 treaty that established boundaries for tribal territories and aimed to maintain peace among Native American tribes and between tribes and settlers.