Frontier Wars: 1850-1898

Was he/she a witness of the battles between Native and non-Native American cultures as they met on the Great Plains? Whether he/she was close to the action or a witness from afar, chronicle his/her experiences with this Topic.

Did the ongoing wars between Native Americans and non-Native Americans during the second half of the 19th century affect him?

1. As the railroad and more settlers moved west to Kansas and Nebraska, Native- and non-Native Americans had more contact, often bloody. Thus, the U.S. government limited Native Americans to particular regions of the country. How did he/she feel about this containment?
2. As more people moved into and through Native American regions, the battles increased. The Native Americans wanted to keep their homes, and the non-Native Americans wanted the land for farming, railroads, and gold mining. Did he/she think the two groups could work out an agreement?
3. Did he/she fight in any battles between the Native Americans and the U.S troops? Which battle was it? On which side did he/she fight? Describe his/her role in the fighting. What was the outcome of the battle? What were its consequences?
4. There was a tremendous amount of hatred between Native and non-Native Americans. Did anyone seem to sympathize with the Native Americans and their loss of land? Did he? Did he/she think about how concentration would affect their culture?
5. If he/she wasn't a Native American, what were his/her feelings towards them? Did he/she ever do anything to help them? Did he/she fear them?
6. If he/she wasn't a Native American, did he/she ever have any contact with Native Americans? Where? What happened? Describe his/her emotions at the time. Was he/she frightened? In awe?