Sioux Wars

The Sioux Wars were a series of conflicts between the Kingdom of America and the Sioux Nation.

The Conflict

Prelude

The Great Plains of the American west had been home to many tribes of American Indians since before the arrival of Europeans. They had mostly survived on a hunting lifestyle, such as buffalo. With the arrival of European settlers and Americans moving west, much of the animals that the Native people relied on began to diminish in population. In order to survive, many of these tribes made alliances with the American government for supplies. These annuities began to come late or be insufficient, angering many of the native leaders. A major drought in the region as well as American economic strife hardened these tensions.

Deployment

The first of these conflicts began in full around 1854. The Lakota Sioux people had been forced on reservations. With the annuities to the annuities becoming insufficient to sustain life on the Plains, many warriors began to fight the American soldiers, creating punitive actions that led to tragic results. The First Sioux War began after a series of run-ins between hostile Sioux warriors and American agents. In an incident that began after the killing of a cow, Sioux warriors killed an army party after much provocation. Approximately 500 Lakota Sioux were killed by the American military, including women and children, in a response as punitive actions. The fighting would last until 1856.

Battlefield

The Wars took place on the plains of the American Frontier, spanning multiple of what would become states. These included states such as South Dakota, Freeman, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Outcome

The Sioux tribes were forced to sign concessions to the American government, including the loss of land and the placement on reservations. Though tensions remained high, the fighting generally came to an end.

Included Conflicts

• Wounded Knee Massacre

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

1854

Ending Date

1891

Conflict Result

Various, American Victories