Question

Describe the culture and political organization of the Plains Indians. Discuss how and why their relationship with white Americans changed from the 1840s to 1890.

Answer 1

Many of the Plains Indians depended on buffalo for their survival as they got most of their supplies and utilities from it. When it comes to the political structure of the plain Indians it differs from band to band. A band had people ranging from dozens to hundreds that travel and shared resources together. Their relationship changed with white Americans because their thinking and ways were not the same, while the white Americans were hungry for money and land the plain Americans were not. The dispute over land became worse with time leading in the migration of plain Indians in some cases and in some people submitted to the federal government as it was causing too much blood shed. From 1872-1875 in 3 years white American and hunters killed over 9 million buffalo so that plain Americans had to leave the land as buffalo migrated. All this so that they can occupy their land. Incidents like these over years drawn tension between both groups leading to disagreement and their relationship become sour.