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Source A: “Uncle Sam's Crook: Will He Straighten the Sinuous Sioux of the Yellowstone?” Chicago Times, July 1, 1876
In 1869 the United States concluded a treaty with the Indians…whereby the eastern half of this enormous region we set apart for their occupation and use…and that no white person should be permitted to occupy or settle…or even pass through it without the consent of the Indians…By this treaty the eastern half of this area…was given to the Indians for occupation—agencies, farms, schools, and the like…In the fullest possible sense, the entire area was turned over to the Indians, and guaranteed to them by solemn treaty.
…The public will be prepared to easily comprehend the causes of the present war and its extent. In brief, without any abrogation of the treaty by the Sioux, the Black Hills country was invaded by immigrants in search of gold. The Sioux resented this invasion, and commenced to attack immigrant trains. They in turn were attacked by United States troops…
Now that the war is in progress, it should be fought out, until the hostile Indians are thoroughly subdued. When that shall be done, then it will be in order to debate this truth…that the Indians have the same right to defend their country against invasion that have Americans, or any other nation or community.
Questions for Source A:
According to this writer, what was the major cause of the violence that broke out leading up to the Battle of the Little Bighorn?
How does the author feel about continued violent action by the U.S. Army against the Native American peoples involved here, and why? What does he believe should come next?