Sand Creek Massacre, November 29, 1864
The southern Cheyenne tribe settled in central plains occupying parts of the Colorado Territory. After numerous attacks east of Denver on the Cheyenne tribe's wagons and settlements, the governor of Colorado decided to take advantage of a peace campaign led by Black Kettle. Black Kettle was the Cheyenne chief, and followed the orders of Colorado's governor in return for promised protection. The Cheyenne moved their camps to Sand Creek as they were told. General John Chivington saw this as an opportunity to secure a big military win against the Cheyenne, and on November 29th, 1864 he raided the camps at Sand Creek. Black Kettle tried to surrender, but Chivington and his 700 men killed between 150 and 500 people including many women and children.
Causes of the Wars between the U.S. military and the Great Plains Indians
Settlers and the Native Americans had contrasting views of the land and resources which caused lots of tension between them. Settlers felt they deserved to take the land because they would make it more productive. However, the natives viewed the settlers as invaders as they contrasted their traditional ways of life. As the settlers kept trying to invade the Indian chiefs got angry and their anger eventually led to the Indian Wars.