Chief Red Cloud Research Paper

“We do not want riches. We want peace and love,” said Oglala Sioux Chief Red Cloud. Many people, such as Chief Red Cloud, have stood up for their beliefs. In taking a stand, one represents a cause or opinion through their words and actions. Protesting, rebelling, and fighting are all examples of taking a stand. Chief Red Cloud of the Oglala Sioux took a stand in history when he refused to give up his tribe’s land, proving the strength of the Native Americans and creating opportunities for better American Indian rights in the future.
Before the exploration of the American West, Sioux Indians led favorable, happy lives. Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Sioux tribes lived in present-day North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana (Monroe 8-9). They lived in tipis and survived by …show more content…
In early August, 600 Cheyenne warriors attacked a haymaking party at Fort C.F. Smith. In the battle that followed, known as the Hayfield Fight, the Indian braves suffered heavy losses because of the soldiers’ new weapons (Sanford, William R. “The 23). Although the soldiers had gained the victory, the warriors refused to give up. Wagon Box fight at Fort Phil Kearny on August 2nd resulted in heavy losses on the Native Americans’ side, again because of the new weapons and better protection (Members 153-155; 161). “It was like green grass withering in a fire,” Fire Thunder, a warrior in the fight, later said, “So we picked up our people and went away. I do not know how many of our people were killed, but there were very many. It was bad.” (Sanford, William R. Oglala) Still, Red Cloud would not stop fighting until he got his land to himself. In 1867, Native Americans caused a train accident on Union Pacific rails (Sanford, William R. Oglala 26). The railroad owners and American settlers demanded that the railways and trails be made safe (Sanford, William R. Oglala