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Which of the following was the more important reason why there was conflict between white settlers and the Plains Indians: • differences in ways of life • the actions of the US Government? Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 6 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 6
Which of the following was the more important reason why there was conflict between white settlers and the Plains Indians: • differences in ways of life • the actio... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which of the following was the more important reason why there was conflict between white settlers and the Plains Indians: • differences in ways of life • the actions of the US Government? Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 6 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
differences in ways of life
Answer
The differences in ways of life between white settlers and Plains Indians played a significant role in the conflict. White settlers had a largely agrarian lifestyle and believed in land ownership and cultivation. They viewed land as a resource to be exploited for economic gain. In contrast, the Plains Indians had a nomadic lifestyle centered around hunting buffalo, which they considered sacred. This fundamental difference in how each group interacted with the land led to tensions, as settlers encroached on hunting grounds, disrupting traditional practices and the ecosystem upon which the Indians depended. Such disruptions generated resentment and resistance from the Plains Indians, as their way of life was threatened by the settlers' expansionist practices.
Step 2
the actions of the US Government
Answer
The actions of the US Government were pivotal in exacerbating the conflict between white settlers and the Plains Indians. The US government frequently supported the interests of settlers through policies that facilitated westward expansion, including the implementation of treaties that were often broken or disregarded. For example, treaties such as the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 and 1868 aimed to allocate specific lands to tribes but were unilaterally violated by the government as settlers encroached upon these territories. This not only dismantled the territorial rights of the Plains Indians but also led to military confrontations, further deepening the divide and animosity. The government's failure to enforce treaty obligations and protect Indian lands from settler interests directly contributed to ongoing conflict.