Title: The Secret Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1868
This little-known treaty is an important part of U.S. history, shaping Native American and government relations.
After decades of conflict and displacement, the historical narrative of the Indigenous peoples in the United States reached a significant yet frequently overlooked moment with the signing of the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868. This treaty, officially known as the Treaty of 1868, was crucial in shaping the interactions between the United States government and the Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota Sioux. It is a pivotal but less discussed chapter in U.S. history, revealing a complex mix of negotiation, betrayal, and the shifting dynamics of power.
The story of the Treaty of Fort Laramie began in the context of the Bozeman Trail, a route cutting through the traditional lands of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Northern Arapaho. The mid-19th century was marked by a significant influx of European-American settlers moving westward, driven by the promise of prosperity and new beginnings. This migration heavily encroached on the territories of various Native American tribes, leading to increased tensions and violent confrontations, commonly referred to as Red Cloud’s War after the prominent Oglala Lakota leader, Red Cloud.
Recognizing the untenability of continuous military confrontation, and motivated by the costs and the toll of maintaining forts and troops, the U.S. government approached the negotiation table leading to the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868. The treaty was groundbreaking in several respects. It acknowledged the wrongs done to the Lakota people, provided them with a large reservation including the Black Hills, guaranteed their hunting rights on surrounding federal lands, and in a broader sense promised no further encroachment by settlers.
The treaty also marked a drastic shift in U.S. government policy from one of outright confrontation to an agreement of peace and coexistence. It included terms that appeared to respect the sovereignty of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, with the U.S. government pledging to build schools, provide supplies, and allow the construction of a railroad for easier transport and communication, provided it did not infringe on the Indians’ territories.
However, the peace established by the Treaty of Fort Laramie did not last long. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in the mid-1870s by a military expedition led by George Armstrong Custer violated the treaty and rekindled hostilities. The government’s attempts to renegotiate the treaty to access gold deposits, and the resistance from the Lakota, led to the infamous Black Hills War, culminating in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.
The 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty’s breach demonstrates a pattern of broken promises that many Native American tribes experienced repeatedly. The United States Supreme Court notably described the situation in the Black Hills as an “act of injustice,” in United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians, 1980. Despite this, the federal government took over the Black Hills, and the land has not been returned to the tribes, despite ongoing legal and legislative efforts.
This neglected piece of history highlights the complex nexus of trust and treachery that has characterized the U.S.-Native American relations. While treaties like that of Fort Laramie represented solemn promises and were meant to be binding “as long as the grass grows and the water runs,” in practice, they were often discarded when they impeded wider geopolitical and economic interests.
The legacy of the Treaty of Fort Laramie is still evident today in the ongoing disputes over land and sovereign rights. It serves as a sobering reminder of the complicated and often tragic history of indigenous peoples’ relationship with settlers and the U.S. government. It underscores the need for greater recognition and respect for these treaties, not only in honoring past agreements but also in forging future relations that truly respect Native American rights and sovereignty.
In conclusion, the Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1868, while not widely taught or discussed, is a substantial chapter in the annals of the United States. It encapsulates the themes of hope and betrayal that have underscored much of the U.S.’s dealings with its Native populations. Understanding this treaty and its implications helps illuminate the historical and ongoing challenges of defining justice in American history.
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