Treaty of Medicine Lodge

Definition

The Treaty of Medicine Lodge was an 1867 agreement between the United States government and several Native American tribes, including the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache. This treaty aimed to establish peace and define reservations for these tribes in southwestern Kansas, as well as ensure their protection from white settlers. It represents a significant moment in U.S.-Native American relations, reflecting the complexities and challenges of treaty negotiations during westward expansion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The treaty was signed on October 21, 1867, at Medicine Lodge Creek in Kansas and was one of several treaties aimed at establishing peace on the Great Plains.
2. It required the tribes to cease hostilities against settlers and relocate to designated reservation lands, while the U.S. government promised to protect them from white encroachment.
3. Despite the treaty's intentions, many tribes faced significant pressures from settlers and continued conflicts over land and resources.
4. The Treaty of Medicine Lodge included provisions for education and agricultural assistance to help tribes adapt to a sedentary lifestyle.
5. The failure to fully implement the treaty's provisions contributed to further tensions and conflicts between Native Americans and the U.S. government in subsequent years.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Medicine Lodge attempt to address conflicts between Native American tribes and white settlers?
  • The Treaty of Medicine Lodge aimed to resolve conflicts by establishing peace between the U.S. government and several Native American tribes. It included provisions for defining specific reservation lands for tribes, thus attempting to limit settler encroachment on their territories. The treaty also sought to create a framework for protection against violence and provided assurances that the government would uphold its commitments, although many of these promises were not honored in practice.
• Discuss the implications of the Treaty of Medicine Lodge on the future relationship between Native American tribes and the U.S. government.
  • The Treaty of Medicine Lodge had profound implications for future U.S.-Native American relations. Although it was intended to create peace, many tribes found themselves struggling with broken promises and unmet treaty obligations from the government. The establishment of reservations restricted their traditional ways of life and led to increased tensions with settlers seeking land. This pattern of unfulfilled commitments would characterize many subsequent treaties, further complicating the relationship between Native Americans and the federal government.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Treaty of Medicine Lodge on Native American sovereignty and cultural identity.
  • The long-term effects of the Treaty of Medicine Lodge significantly impacted Native American sovereignty and cultural identity. By confining tribes to reservations and promoting policies that encouraged assimilation into Euro-American culture, this treaty contributed to a loss of traditional practices and governance structures among tribes. Over time, this marginalization weakened tribal sovereignty, making it difficult for many communities to maintain their cultural identities. The consequences continue to resonate today as tribes navigate issues related to self-determination and cultural preservation against a backdrop of historical treaties that were often violated.

Related terms

Reservation System: A policy implemented by the U.S. government to designate specific areas of land for Native American tribes, often resulting in loss of traditional lands.

Fort Larned: A military fort in Kansas that served as a key location during the negotiations and enforcement of the Treaty of Medicine Lodge.

Assimilation Policies: Government strategies aimed at integrating Native Americans into Euro-American culture, often undermining tribal sovereignty and traditional ways of life.