When Was The Treaty Of Fort Laramie

The Treaty of Fort Laramie, a landmark agreement in the tumultuous history of the American West, represents a pivotal moment in the relationship between the U.S. government and various Native American tribes. This treaty, more accurately described as two separate agreements negotiated at Fort Laramie in present-day Wyoming, aimed to establish peace and delineate territories amid the escalating westward expansion of settlers and the increasing pressure on indigenous lands. Understanding the context surrounding the treaty requires delving into the complex interplay of politics, economics, and cultural clashes that defined the era.

The need for such a treaty arose from the growing tensions caused by the Oregon Trail, which cut directly through the heart of Native American territories. Emigrant trains, carrying settlers heading west in search of land and opportunity, disrupted hunting grounds, depleted resources, and led to frequent skirmishes. The U.S. government, keen on facilitating westward expansion while simultaneously avoiding large-scale conflicts, recognized the necessity of formalizing agreements with the tribes. This resulted in the negotiation and signing of the Treaty of Fort Laramie, a crucial document that sought to regulate interactions and define boundaries between the United States and several significant Native American nations. But when exactly did these treaties come into being, and what were the key provisions that shaped the future of the American West?

Unpacking the Two Treaties of Fort Laramie

There were two significant treaties signed at Fort Laramie. It's important to recognize they weren't a single unified agreement. Each addressed different tribes and different concerns at distinct moments in time.

• The 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie: This treaty, officially known as the Treaty of Fort Laramie with Sioux, etc. (11 Stat. 749), was signed in 1851.
• The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie: This second treaty, officially the Treaty of Fort Laramie with Sioux, etc. (15 Stat. 635), was signed in 1868.

Let's delve deeper into each of these treaties individually.

The 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie: A Promise of Peace and Boundaries

The first Treaty of Fort Laramie, signed in 1851, was a multilateral agreement involving the United States and eight Northern Plains tribes: the Sioux (Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota), Crow, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. The primary objective of this treaty was to secure safe passage for settlers traveling along the Oregon Trail and to establish defined territorial boundaries for each of the signatory tribes. The treaty aimed to minimize conflict by clearly demarcating areas where each tribe held exclusive rights, thereby reducing the likelihood of clashes over resources and hunting grounds.

Key Provisions of the 1851 Treaty:

• Territorial Boundaries: The treaty explicitly defined the territories of each tribe, recognizing their claims to specific areas. In exchange for this recognition, the tribes agreed to allow the construction of roads and military posts within their territories. This provision was crucial for facilitating westward expansion and maintaining U.S. military presence in the region.
• Safe Passage: The tribes pledged to allow safe passage for emigrants traveling along the Oregon Trail. They agreed not to harass or attack settlers, and to allow the construction of roads and communication lines. This was a central demand of the U.S. government, aimed at protecting the flow of settlers and goods westward.
• Government Annuities: In return for these concessions, the U.S. government promised to provide the tribes with annual payments of goods and provisions, totaling $50,000 per year for a period of fifty years. These annuities were intended to compensate the tribes for the loss of access to resources and the disruption of their traditional way of life. It's important to note that these annuities were often delayed, insufficient, or of poor quality, leading to further resentment and distrust.
• Tribal Governance: The treaty stipulated that the tribes would be responsible for policing their own members and preventing them from attacking or harassing settlers. The U.S. government also reserved the right to punish individuals who violated the treaty provisions.

Shortcomings and Failures of the 1851 Treaty:

While the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie initially brought a period of relative peace, it ultimately failed to achieve its long-term objectives. Several factors contributed to its shortcomings:

• Encroachment of Settlers: Despite the treaty's provisions, the relentless influx of settlers into Native American territories continued unabated. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills, for example, led to a massive influx of prospectors, directly violating the treaty and sparking further conflict.
• Government Ineffectiveness: The U.S. government frequently failed to enforce the treaty's provisions, particularly regarding the protection of Native American lands from encroachment. This lack of enforcement eroded trust and fueled resentment among the tribes.
• Cultural Misunderstandings: Deep-seated cultural differences between the U.S. government and the Native American tribes hindered effective communication and implementation of the treaty. The concept of land ownership, for instance, was fundamentally different between the two cultures, leading to misunderstandings and disputes.
• Delayed or Insufficient Annuities: The promised annuities were often delivered late, in insufficient quantities, or were of poor quality. This failure to uphold its end of the bargain further damaged the U.S. government's credibility in the eyes of the tribes.

The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie: The Great Sioux Reservation

The second Treaty of Fort Laramie, signed in 1868, was a direct result of the escalating conflicts and broken promises that followed the 1851 treaty. This treaty, negotiated after Red Cloud's War, sought to address the grievances of the Sioux Nation, particularly concerning the encroachment of settlers into their territory, especially the Black Hills.

Key Provisions of the 1868 Treaty:

• The Great Sioux Reservation: The treaty established the Great Sioux Reservation, a vast territory encompassing much of present-day South Dakota, west of the Missouri River. This land was designated exclusively for the use and occupation of the Sioux Nation. The U.S. government pledged to prevent non-Native Americans from entering the reservation without the consent of the Sioux.
• Guaranteed Hunting Rights: The treaty guaranteed the Sioux the right to hunt on lands outside the reservation, specifically in areas north of the North Platte River and east of the Big Horn Mountains, as long as the buffalo remained plentiful.
• Government Assistance: The U.S. government promised to provide the Sioux with schools, agricultural assistance, and other forms of aid to help them transition to a more settled way of life. The government also pledged to provide annual payments of goods and provisions.
• Tribal Sovereignty: The treaty recognized a degree of tribal sovereignty, allowing the Sioux to govern themselves within the boundaries of the reservation. The treaty also required the consent of three-fourths of the adult male Sioux population before any further land cessions could be made.

The Treaty and the Black Hills:

A particularly significant aspect of the 1868 Treaty was its implicit recognition of the Sioux's claim to the Black Hills. While the treaty did not explicitly mention the Black Hills by name, the territory was understood to be within the boundaries of the Great Sioux Reservation. This would later become a major point of contention, as the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in the 1870s led to a massive influx of prospectors and ultimately to the violation of the treaty.

The Inevitable Breakdown of the 1868 Treaty:

Despite its initial promise, the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie also ultimately failed to secure lasting peace and justice for the Sioux Nation. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills proved to be the breaking point, leading to renewed conflict and the eventual seizure of the Black Hills by the U.S. government.

Factors Contributing to the Treaty's Failure:

• The Gold Rush: The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874 triggered a massive influx of prospectors, violating the treaty and sparking renewed conflict with the Sioux. The U.S. government, under pressure from mining interests, failed to prevent the encroachment of settlers.
• The Great Sioux War of 1876: The escalating tensions led to the Great Sioux War of 1876, which included the infamous Battle of Little Bighorn. Despite the Sioux's victory at Little Bighorn, the war ultimately resulted in the defeat of the Sioux and the confiscation of the Black Hills.
• Congressional Action: In 1877, the U.S. Congress passed an act unilaterally seizing the Black Hills from the Sioux, despite the treaty provision requiring the consent of three-fourths of the adult male Sioux population. This act effectively nullified the 1868 Treaty and marked a major turning point in the relationship between the U.S. government and the Sioux Nation.
• Forced Assimilation: Following the Great Sioux War, the U.S. government intensified its efforts to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society. This included forced removal of children to boarding schools, suppression of traditional cultural practices, and the allotment of tribal lands to individual Native Americans.

The Legacy of the Fort Laramie Treaties

The Treaties of Fort Laramie, both the 1851 and 1868 agreements, stand as complex and ultimately tragic chapters in the history of the American West. While intended to establish peace and define boundaries, these treaties ultimately failed to protect Native American lands and sovereignty. The relentless westward expansion of settlers, the discovery of valuable resources, and the U.S. government's broken promises all contributed to the treaties' demise.

Enduring Impact:

• Land Claims: The treaties continue to be relevant today, particularly in the context of Native American land claims. The Sioux Nation, for example, has never accepted the U.S. government's seizure of the Black Hills and continues to seek redress for this historical injustice. The Supreme Court case United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians (1980) affirmed that the U.S. government had illegally taken the Black Hills and awarded the Sioux monetary compensation, which the tribe has refused to accept, preferring instead to reclaim the land.
• Tribal Sovereignty: The treaties, despite their failures, helped to establish the principle of tribal sovereignty, which continues to be a central issue in Native American law and politics. Native American tribes retain certain inherent rights of self-government, and the U.S. government has a trust responsibility to protect tribal lands and resources.
• Historical Understanding: Studying the Fort Laramie Treaties provides valuable insights into the complex and often fraught relationship between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. Understanding the historical context of these treaties is essential for promoting reconciliation and addressing ongoing injustices.
• Legal Precedent: The legal interpretations of the Fort Laramie Treaties, especially concerning land rights and tribal sovereignty, continue to influence legal proceedings and policy decisions related to Native American affairs.

The Treaties of Fort Laramie: A Timeline

To further clarify the sequence of events surrounding the Treaties of Fort Laramie, here is a concise timeline:

• 1840s: Increased traffic along the Oregon Trail leads to growing tensions between settlers and Native American tribes.
• 1851: The first Treaty of Fort Laramie is signed, establishing territorial boundaries and promising annuities in exchange for safe passage for settlers.
• 1860s: Continued encroachment of settlers and failure of the U.S. government to uphold treaty provisions lead to renewed conflict.
• 1866-1868: Red Cloud's War is fought between the U.S. Army and the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes.
• 1868: The second Treaty of Fort Laramie is signed, establishing the Great Sioux Reservation and guaranteeing hunting rights.
• 1874: Gold is discovered in the Black Hills, triggering a massive influx of prospectors.
• 1876: The Great Sioux War of 1876, including the Battle of Little Bighorn, is fought.
• 1877: The U.S. Congress unilaterally seizes the Black Hills from the Sioux.
• 1980: The Supreme Court case United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians affirms that the U.S. government illegally took the Black Hills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What was the main purpose of the Treaty of Fort Laramie?

  A: The primary purpose of both treaties was to establish peace and define territorial boundaries between the U.S. government and various Native American tribes, primarily to facilitate westward expansion and minimize conflict.

• Q: How many Treaties of Fort Laramie were there?

  A: There were two significant treaties signed at Fort Laramie: one in 1851 and another in 1868.

• Q: What tribes were involved in the Treaty of Fort Laramie?

  A: The 1851 treaty involved the Sioux, Crow, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes. The 1868 treaty primarily involved the Sioux Nation.

• Q: Why did the Treaties of Fort Laramie fail?

  A: The treaties failed due to a combination of factors, including the encroachment of settlers, the discovery of gold in the Black Hills, the U.S. government's broken promises, and deep-seated cultural misunderstandings.

• Q: What is the significance of the Black Hills in relation to the Treaty of Fort Laramie?

  A: The Black Hills were understood to be within the boundaries of the Great Sioux Reservation established by the 1868 Treaty. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills led to the violation of the treaty and the eventual seizure of the land by the U.S. government, sparking lasting legal and ethical debates.

Conclusion

The Treaties of Fort Laramie represent a complex and ultimately tragic chapter in the history of the American West. While intended to establish peace and define boundaries, these treaties ultimately failed to protect Native American lands and sovereignty. Understanding the context, provisions, and consequences of these treaties is crucial for comprehending the ongoing struggles for justice and reconciliation in Native American communities. Both the treaty signed in 1851 and the subsequent treaty in 1868 highlight the challenges of intercultural negotiation and the enduring impact of historical injustices. The legacy of the Fort Laramie Treaties continues to shape legal, political, and ethical debates surrounding Native American rights and land claims in the 21st century.

What are your thoughts on the long-term consequences of broken treaties and their impact on indigenous communities? How do you think we can best address these historical injustices in the present day?