The Sand Creek Massacre, an infamous episode in American history, took place in 1864, involving the US Army, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, and Colonel John Chivington. This tragic event, considered one of the most notorious atrocities of the Indian Wars, resulted in the deaths of over 250 Native American civilians.
Sand Creek Massacre: Definition and Historical Significance
The Sand Creek Massacre was a brutal and tragic event in American history. On November 29, 1864, a group of Colorado militia and volunteer soldiers attacked a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village on Sand Creek in southeastern Colorado. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 150 Native Americans, including women, children, and the elderly.
Historical Context
- The Sand Creek Massacre took place during a period of intense conflict between white settlers and Native American tribes on the Great Plains.
- The Cheyenne and Arapaho had been forced to relocate to reservations in Colorado and Wyoming, but they were dissatisfied with the conditions on the reservations and often resisted white expansion.
- In response, the U.S. government authorized a campaign to pacify the tribes and force them onto the reservations.
Attack on Sand Creek
- On November 29, 1864, a force of about 675 Colorado militia and volunteer soldiers under the command of Colonel John Chivington attacked the Cheyenne and Arapaho village at Sand Creek.
- The village was home to about 500 Native Americans, including many women, children, and elderly.
- The attack began at dawn and lasted for several hours. The soldiers killed at least 150 Native Americans, mutilated their bodies, and burned the village to the ground.
Aftermath
- The Sand Creek Massacre sparked national outrage and led to a congressional investigation.
- The investigation found that the attack was unjustified and that Chivington had violated the rules of war.
- Chivington was never punished for his actions, but the massacre did help to turn public opinion against the U.S. government’s Indian policies.
Historical Significance
The Sand Creek Massacre is considered one of the worst atrocities in American history. It represented a brutal betrayal of trust by the U.S. government and had a lasting impact on relations between Native Americans and the United States.
Table: Key Participants in the Sand Creek Massacre
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Colonel John Chivington | Commander of the Colorado militia and volunteer soldiers |
| Black Kettle | Chief of the Cheyenne |
| White Antelope | Chief of the Arapaho |
| Major Edward Wynkoop | U.S. Army officer who attempted to prevent the attack |
Timeline of Events
- November 29, 1864: Colonel John Chivington attacks the Cheyenne and Arapaho village at Sand Creek.
- The attack lasts for several hours and results in the deaths of at least 150 Native Americans.
- The attack sparks national outrage and leads to a congressional investigation.
- The congressional investigation finds that the attack was unjustified and that Chivington had violated the rules of war.
- Chivington is never punished for his actions.
Question 1:
What does the term “Sand Creek Massacre” refer to in APUSH?
Answer:
The Sand Creek Massacre (entity) – an event that occurred in 1864 (attribute) – was the brutal killing of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho people (value) by U.S. soldiers led by Colonel John Chivington (attribute).
Question 2:
What were the consequences of the Sand Creek Massacre?
Answer:
The Sand Creek Massacre (entity) – resulted in (predicate) – widespread outrage (object) and contributed to (predicate) – the outbreak of the Indian Wars (object).
Question 3:
How did the Sand Creek Massacre shape American history?
Answer:
The Sand Creek Massacre (entity) – had a lasting impact (predicate) – on US-Native American relations (object) and served as a reminder (predicate) – of the violent legacy of westward expansion (object).
Well, folks, that’s all we have for you on the Sand Creek Massacre. It’s a dark chapter in American history, but it’s important to remember so we can learn from our mistakes. Thanks for sticking with us through this heavy topic. We’ll catch you next time with something a little lighter. In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on American history. We’ve got plenty of fascinating stories to share!