Sand Creek Massacre

Definition

The Sand Creek Massacre was a violent attack carried out by the Colorado U.S. Volunteer Cavalry against a peaceful encampment of Cheyenne and Arapaho people on November 29, 1864. This tragic event highlighted the escalating tensions and violent conflicts during the Plains Indian Wars, showcasing the brutal measures taken by the U.S. government and military in their quest for control over land and resources in the West.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Sand Creek Massacre resulted in the deaths of an estimated 150 to 200 Cheyenne and Arapaho people, many of whom were women, children, and elderly individuals.
2. The attack occurred despite assurances of safety given by U.S. officials to the Native Americans who had relocated to Sand Creek for protection.
3. Colonel John Chivington justified the massacre as a means to eliminate perceived threats from Native Americans, reflecting the broader attitudes of racial superiority during this period.
4. In response to the massacre, public outcry eventually led to investigations, but little accountability was held for those involved in the violence.
5. The Sand Creek Massacre is often seen as a turning point that intensified hostilities between Native Americans and U.S. forces, contributing to subsequent conflicts in the Plains Indian Wars.

Review Questions

• How did the Sand Creek Massacre reflect the broader conflicts present in the Plains Indian Wars?
  • The Sand Creek Massacre exemplifies the extreme violence and racial tensions that characterized the Plains Indian Wars. It illustrated how U.S. military forces acted aggressively towards Native American tribes under the guise of maintaining order, often disregarding treaties and agreements meant to ensure peace. The brutality of this event increased animosity between Native Americans and settlers, which fueled further conflicts in the ongoing struggle over land and resources.
• Discuss the implications of Colonel Chivington's actions during the Sand Creek Massacre on public perception of U.S. military policies toward Native Americans.
  • Colonel Chivington's actions during the Sand Creek Massacre led to widespread public outrage once details of the massacre emerged. Many people were shocked by the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, which sparked debates about U.S. military policies and treatment of Native Americans. This incident challenged prevailing notions of manifest destiny and brought attention to the brutal realities of westward expansion, leading some reformers to advocate for better treatment of Native peoples.
• Evaluate how events like the Sand Creek Massacre shaped federal policy toward Native American tribes in subsequent years.
  • Events such as the Sand Creek Massacre had profound effects on federal policies toward Native American tribes in the years that followed. The brutality displayed at Sand Creek intensified calls for reform among some lawmakers and activists who sought to change how tribes were treated. However, overall U.S. policy continued to prioritize land acquisition and control over humane treatment or recognition of tribal rights, leading to further displacement and violence against Native Americans throughout subsequent conflicts in the Plains Indian Wars.

Related terms

Plains Indian Wars: A series of conflicts between the U.S. government and various Native American tribes in the Great Plains region during the mid to late 19th century, largely driven by westward expansion.

Chivington's Raid: The attack led by Colonel John Chivington during the Sand Creek Massacre, where his forces brutally killed and mutilated many members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

Treaty of Fort Laramie: An agreement made in 1851 that aimed to establish peace between the U.S. government and various Native American tribes, though it was repeatedly violated by settlers and the government.