Red River War Causes and Effects

Grade 4 Social Studies Understanding Texas History Westward Expansion and Conflict

Warm-Up Question

What happens when many new people move into a place where others already live?

Key Vocabulary: Reservation

Land set aside by the government for American Indian tribes A place where tribes were forced to live Much smaller than their original homeland Often had poor soil and few resources

Texas in the Late 1800s

Texas was rebuilding after the Civil War Many new settlers and immigrants arrived People wanted land and opportunities American Indian tribes had lived there for generations

Causes of the Red River War

The Role of U.S. Forts

Built to protect settlers from Indian raids Provided safety for new communities Soldiers patrolled the frontier Created tension with tribal communities

Tribal Life and the Buffalo

Western tribes depended on buffalo for everything Buffalo provided food, clothing, and shelter Hunting grounds were sacred to many tribes Railroad construction brought buffalo hunters

The Railroad's Impact

Railroads brought more settlers west Professional hunters killed buffalo for hides Thousands of buffalo were slaughtered daily This destroyed the tribes' food source

Give One, Get One Activity

Find one CAUSE of the Red River War in your article Find one EFFECT of the Red River War Share with a partner Learn a new cause or effect from someone else