Treaty of Fort Laramie

Definition

The Treaty of Fort Laramie, signed in 1851, was an agreement between the United States government and several Native American tribes, aimed at ensuring peace and defining territorial boundaries in the western territories. The treaty recognized tribal land rights while attempting to reduce conflicts resulting from westward expansion, although it ultimately failed to uphold these agreements in subsequent years, leading to further tensions and hostilities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty of Fort Laramie established designated territories for tribes such as the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho, acknowledging their land rights in an effort to maintain peace as settlers moved westward.
2. Despite its intentions, the treaty was frequently violated by the U.S. government, leading to increased tensions and conflicts with Native American tribes as settlers encroached on their territories.
3. The treaty's failure to ensure lasting peace contributed to a series of wars and confrontations between Native Americans and U.S. military forces throughout the late 19th century.
4. In 1868, a revised version of the treaty was signed which recognized additional land for the Lakota, but this was also undermined as gold was discovered in the Black Hills, leading to further violations.
5. The Treaty of Fort Laramie is often seen as a pivotal moment in U.S.-Native American relations, setting a precedent for future treaties that would similarly be broken or disregarded by the federal government.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Fort Laramie attempt to address conflicts between Native American tribes and American settlers during westward expansion?
  • The Treaty of Fort Laramie aimed to reduce tensions by defining territorial boundaries for various Native American tribes while allowing settlers safe passage through these lands. By recognizing tribal land rights and establishing peace agreements, the treaty sought to create a framework for coexistence amidst increasing settler migration. However, despite these intentions, the treaty ultimately failed as settlers continued to encroach on tribal territories, leading to ongoing conflicts.
• Evaluate the impact of broken treaties like the Treaty of Fort Laramie on Native American societies during westward expansion.
  • Broken treaties like the Treaty of Fort Laramie had devastating impacts on Native American societies as they led to loss of land, resources, and autonomy. With each violation, tribes faced increased encroachment from settlers and military forces that undermined their traditional ways of life. This continuous betrayal by the U.S. government fostered distrust and resistance among Native communities, which contributed to violent conflicts throughout the latter half of the 19th century.
• Analyze the long-term implications of the Treaty of Fort Laramie for U.S. policy towards Native Americans and its relevance in contemporary discussions about tribal sovereignty.
  • The Treaty of Fort Laramie set a troubling precedent for U.S. policy towards Native Americans by illustrating how agreements could be disregarded or violated at will. This pattern has led to ongoing legal disputes over land rights and tribal sovereignty that persist today. Contemporary discussions around Native American rights often reference historical treaties like Fort Laramie as examples of broken promises that highlight systemic issues faced by Indigenous communities. The legacy of these treaties continues to shape the relationship between Native tribes and the federal government as efforts are made to rectify historical injustices.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River.

Sand Creek Massacre: An event in 1864 where a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho was attacked by Colorado U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, resulting in the deaths of many Native Americans, including women and children, highlighting the violent conflicts between settlers and indigenous peoples.

Reservations: Areas of land designated by the federal government for Native American tribes, often resulting from treaties that forced tribes onto smaller, confined lands, limiting their traditional ways of life.