Treaty of Fort Laramie

Definition

The Treaty of Fort Laramie, signed in 1851, was an agreement between the United States and several Native American tribes to establish peace and define territorial boundaries in the Great Plains region. This treaty marked a significant moment in the U.S. government's approach to Native American relations, reflecting both the desire for westward expansion and the conflicting interests of various tribes in the face of increasing American settlement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty of Fort Laramie was one of the first formal treaties between the U.S. government and Native American tribes, aiming to reduce conflicts over land as settlers moved westward.
2. The treaty established designated territories for various tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho, but these boundaries were frequently ignored by settlers and the government.
3. The signing of the treaty marked a shift from earlier informal negotiations to a more structured treaty-making process that would later become a means for the U.S. to acquire Native lands.
4. The U.S. government often failed to uphold the terms of the treaty, leading to tensions and conflicts such as the Red Cloud's War in the 1860s.
5. The treaty set a precedent for future treaties that would further erode Native American land rights and autonomy, ultimately contributing to systemic issues related to tribal sovereignty.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Fort Laramie reflect the U.S. government's approach to Native American relations during a time of westward expansion?
  • The Treaty of Fort Laramie illustrated a dual approach by the U.S. government—seeking to establish peace with Native American tribes while simultaneously facilitating Manifest Destiny. By delineating tribal territories, the government aimed to reduce conflicts with settlers. However, this treaty also highlighted inconsistencies in governmental promises, as many terms were disregarded later, leading to further disputes and conflict over land ownership.
• In what ways did the Treaty of Fort Laramie influence subsequent treaties and policies regarding Native American lands and sovereignty?
  • The Treaty of Fort Laramie set a precedent for future treaties that often resulted in the ceding of Native lands under similar circumstances. It represented an evolving treaty system where agreements were made with tribes but frequently violated by the U.S. government. This led to a pattern where Native American sovereignty was systematically undermined through legal agreements that were not honored, which ultimately facilitated broader U.S. expansion and control over these territories.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Treaty of Fort Laramie on tribal sovereignty and resistance movements in the Southwest and beyond.
  • The Treaty of Fort Laramie had lasting effects on tribal sovereignty, as it exemplified how treaties could be manipulated by the U.S. government to justify land acquisition and diminish Native autonomy. In response to broken treaties and territorial encroachments, many tribes began organizing resistance movements that fought for their rights and recognition. This ongoing struggle influenced later events like the Red Power movement, which sought to reclaim tribal sovereignty and address grievances stemming from historical injustices rooted in treaties like Fort Laramie.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: A 19th-century doctrine that justified American expansion across the North American continent, based on the belief that such expansion was both inevitable and divinely ordained.

Reservation System: A policy that aimed to confine Native American tribes to specific areas of land, often resulting in the loss of traditional lands and a shift in tribal lifestyles.

Treaty System: The series of agreements made between the U.S. government and Native American tribes, often leading to significant land loss and changes in tribal sovereignty.