Lifestyle and Customs of Tribal Groups on the Plains 

Native Americans adopted many of their customs from the Spanish. They used the Spanish method of transportation, horses, as well as using their terms and taking inspiration from their clothing. Native Americans hunted their food; they mainly hunted buffalo. They used every part of the buffalo, as food, clothing, tools, ect. Men in the tribes hunted while women did almost everything else. They cleaned, made clothing, prepared food, and took care of the children. Tribes did not have specific leaders, decisions were made by a council and everyone's opinion was taken into consideration.

Battle/Massacre at Wounded Knee

For years the Native Americans put up with broken treaties from settlers. To help prevent the oppression they were facing they created a dance called "Ghost Dance". They thought it would repel the white settlers. The government felt threatened by this and banned the Natives from dancing. The government further tried to dismantle the Natives by attempting to arrest one of their leaders, they ran him and his people to the bank of Wounded knees. During the battle 150 Lakota people died. 

Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull was the military leader of the Lakota. He was originally not seen as an asset to the tribe. He was considered weak. He joined the military at the young age of 14. He slowly began to build a reputation for himself as he won more and more battles. Due to his success I n defending his tribes land he was named Chief of the Lakota tribe. 

Common Lifestyle of American Settlers/ Cowboys/ Vaqueros

The lifestyle of American Settlers was challenging. The settlers living on the plains suffered droughts, fires, blizzards, raids, and plagues. The Vaqueros were considered the "first" cowboys they managed herds . Americans used their culture as a steeping stone for American culture. They took their terms and clothing style. They also used their herding methods. Some settlers lived in sod houses, mud blocks that were stacked up to make a poorly insulated structure. Men would try to grow crops along the railroads and women made clothes and raised the children and livestock . 

Problems with the railroad/ Abuses 

Railroads were going to be the thing that united the US. Lincoln Hired two companies to lay down railroad tracks from each side of the US and meet in the middle. The Central and Pacific company battled to be the first to finish the railroad. The workers were mainly Irish and Chinese immigrants. They worked long hours for little pay. There was little competition in the railroad company so they began to abuse their power.  They increased the price of land so only businesses could afford it. They also increased the price of moving goofs. Farmers became in debt and railroads made even more money because they needed the railroads to transport their goods.