Conflict between American settlers and Native Americans arose from the westward expansion of the United States in search of land and resources. As settlers moved west, they negotiated treaties to remove Native Americans from their lands, often by force, pushing tribes onto reservations over the next 30 years through wars that killed hundreds. Attempts were also made to assimilate Native American cultures, including through boarding schools, but many Native Americans resisted giving up their traditions and way of life. The conflicts and policies of the U.S. government nearly destroyed many Native American societies.

1. Conflict with Native Americans The Move West

2. Many Causes Issues throughout time between American people/government & Native Americans Land, Resources, & the move West only added to the problems the two groups had Flow Chart: Each cause has an effect associated with it

3. Cause/Effect 1 Lack of space in the east & the promise of new/better opportunities in the west The U.S. looked west for land, gold, and resources which were lacking in the east

4. Cause/Effect 2 Needing the land the U.S. negotiates treaties to remove Native Americans from the lands U.S. will no longer negotiate with Native Americans as they disobey them Native Americans do not have leader

5. Cause/Effect 3 Native Americans try to protect lands as U.S. population continues to move west Wars over next 30 years left 100’s dead and Native Americans pushed onto reservations

6. Cause/Effect 4 Believers of a New Native American policy push for assimilation & farm land Native Americans do not want to become the “typical” American and they received poor farm land on the prairie

7. Carlisle Indian School Opened in late 19th Century to assimilate Native Americans into American society.

8. Native American Battles

10. Cause/Effect 5 The wars/battles, push onto reservations, and attempts of assimilation* Native American societies are nearly destroyed* Assimilation: Conform with customs, traditions

11. Complete the back of your worksheet and be prepared to defend your answers... The Debate: To Assimilate Or Not

12. Questions To Debate Yes or No, the U.S. was justified in taking land in the west to expand its ever growing nation? Do you believe it was in the best interest of the U.S. to try and assimilate Native Americans? Do we see unintended assimilation taking place throughout the world today?