The Expansion of the Texas Frontier and the American Indian


Reconstruction and Frontiers The Expansion of the Texas Frontier and the American Indian
Students begin by creating a class What We Know chart about Texas Indian tribes. Next they learn about the role of the forts on the Texas frontier and they compare maps from pre-and post-Civil War. Then they read about the Red River Wars and the effort to relocate Indian tribes onto reservations. They explain the impact of commercial buffalo hunting on the Plains Indians. Finally they write an imaginary letter recommending that their tribe move to a reservation or continue to fight to protect their traditional way of life.

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Overview

In this experience, students begin by creating a class What We Know chart about Texas Indian tribes. Next they learn about the role of the forts on the Texas frontier, and they compare maps from pre-and post-Civil War. Then they read about the Red River Wars and the effort to relocate Indian tribes onto reservations. They explain the impact of commercial buffalo hunting on the Plains Indians. Finally they write an imaginary letter recommending that their tribe move to a reservation or continue to fight to protect their traditional way of life.

If you have not yet assigned the Unit 1 lesson: “Case Study of an Indian Tribe,” you might choose to do so in parallel to this lesson.

If you have access to leveled readers about Texas forts or life on an Indian reservation, assign them to the students in parallel to this experience.

Estimated duration: 35-45 minutes

Vocabulary words:

  • resident
  • abandoned
  • dependent
  • commercial
  • sacred
  • interfere

Objective

  • Describe the effects of westward expansion and the Red River War on Texas Indians.


Engage


Following the Civil War, the Texas population continued to grow quickly. As the population expanded westward across the Texas frontier, conflict with the Indian tribes in Texas also continued to grow. In this lesson, you will learn about the U.S. government’s actions to control the Indian tribes in Texas.

Objective

  • Describe the effects of westward expansion and the Red River War on Texas Indians.


painting of Anglos in uniforms chasing Indians, everyone is on horses

Cavalry and Indians


As a class, recall what you know about the Indian tribes living in Texas. If someone has already listed what you know, try to think of something else to post.



Students may remember some key points:

  • Some tribes were settled, mainly in eastern Texas and the far western part of the state.
  • Nomadic tribes lived primarily in the Plains areas.
  • Over time, more nomadic tribes moved into Texas, pushing other tribes farther south into Mexico.
  • Throughout the years of the Republic of Texas, President Houston had tried to achieve a treaty with the Indians, but President Lamar fought them.
  • Many of the Indians became excellent horsemen.
  • The Plains tribes were dependent on the buffalo for survival.


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