What caused the Indian Wars from 1864 to 1890?

The Indian Wars from 1864 to 1890 were a series of conflicts between the United States armed forces and various Native American tribes. Several factors led to these wars:

1. Expansion: As Westward expansion intensified following the American Civil War, settlers began to move onto lands that had been home to Native American tribes for centuries.

2. Railroads: The development of the Transcontinental Railroad and other railway lines across the West increased the influx of settlers and led to further encroachment on Native American territories. This often resulted in conflicts over land and resources.

3. Resource Competition: The discovery of gold, silver, and other minerals, as well as the desire to utilize the Great Plains for ranching and agriculture, led to competition for resources and land between Native Americans and settlers.

4. Cultural Misunderstandings: There was a profound misunderstanding and lack of respect for Native American cultures by the Euro-American settlers and government. This often resulted in broken treaties, forced relocations, and cultural assimilation efforts.

5. Government Policies: The U.S. government implemented policies such as the Indian Removal Act and later the Dawes Act, which were aimed at relocating Native Americans onto reservations to clear the way for settlers. These policies were often enacted and enforced through military means.

6. Retaliation and Resistance: Acts of resistance by Native American tribes to defend their lands, as well as occasional attacks against settlers or soldiers, led to military retaliation by the U.S. government, resulting in open conflict.

7. Broken Treaties: The U.S. government frequently made treaties with various tribes to ensure peace and land rights, but many of these treaties were broken, altered, or ignored in favor of American economic interests, contributing to distrust and conflict.

These causes were not isolated incidents but rather interconnected events that created a pattern of conflict. Each cause exacerbated tensions, leading to a sustained period of violence and warfare between Native American tribes and the United States.