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Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

by Dee Brown

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Student Question

What were the end results of Red Cloud's war?

Quick answer:

Red Cloud's War, also known as the Bozeman or Powder River War, ended with the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. This treaty followed the Lakota's significant victory over U.S. forces, including the defeat of Lieutenant Colonel William Fetterman's men. The treaty resulted in the closure of forts along the Bozeman Trail and guaranteed the Lakota specific land rights by defining territorial boundaries in the Wyoming-Montana region.

Expert Answers

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Red Cloud was the Lakota chief who is noted for winning the greatest victory against the United States. Also referred to as the Bozeman War or the Powder River War, Red Cloud's War was fought over rights to the Wyoming-Montana territories surrounding what was known as the Powder river country. After gold was discovered in the Montana territory the federal government began building a series of forts along the Powder River. Red Cloud and the Lakota Souix saw this as an infringement upon their lands. The defeat of Lieutenant Colonel William Fetterman's men outside Fort Phil Kearney, Wyoming territory ultimately led to the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. The treaty closed all forts along the Bozeman trail and guaranteed the Lakota specific land rights by defining boundaries.

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