Westward Expansion Policy

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Pages: 4

American expansion into the west led to the near destruction of Native American societies already settled there. In the process of expanding, the Americans interfered with the Indians lifestyle, the buffalo. Many of the Americans who traveled westward to the plains would hunt the buffalo in the area, and take their hides for warmth, while the Native Americans on the other hand could not get a chance to spot a buffalo, because the Americans have killed most of them. When the Native Americans would have a chance to hunt and kill a few buffalo, they would use every last resource that the buffalo had to offer, for example, they would use their hide for clothing, they would use their meat for food, and use their bones for weapons or tools. As the buffalo were disappearing, the Native American lifestyle would soon die out. American commanders tried to drive out the Native Americans by killing the buffalos so the Native Americans could not get their supplies needed. The U.S. Government has abandoned most of its policies on westward expansion and led to a new policy where small tribal lands were to be concentrated. Some Native American tribes agreed with the conditions, while most tribes were furious and rebelled. Due to the rebellious Native Americans, many wars broke out between the Americans and the Native Americans. On …show more content…
The U.S. troops were lead by George A. Custer against the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. Gold had been found in the area where the Sioux tribe is located and the U.S. troops moved in an attempt to kick them out. The Indians were given a deadline to move out of the area, but they did not listen. Custer and his 7th Calvary were sent to move them by force. Custer was unaware of the number of Indians he was about to fight, he underestimated their chief Sitting Bull and the U.S. was outnumbered. This event became known as Custer’s Last