Traveling Trunk Lesson Plan 4: Clash of Cultures

Essential Question

How has conflict resulted from the migration and settlement of people as they expanded across the continent, and how were they resolved?

Objective

Discuss the different viewpoints of the setters and Plains Indians.
Understand why conflict took place between Plains Indians and settlers.

Traveling Trunk Items

bullets, bison piece, coffee, spoon, glass beads, and arrowheads

Hook

1. Have students in groups (group = tribe) decide what they would do for the following question:

   1. The government is forcing everyone within 10 miles of your school to move. In return you are promised compensation. What would you do?

      • Take the money and move.

      • Resist using the courts and non-violent protests.

      • Stay and hope the government decides to change its mind.

      • Resist using an armed militia.

2. Discuss the answers the students give. Student tribes will have to defend their answer. Explain that American Indian tribes did all the options listed, some had more success than others.

Explore

1. Open PowerPoint and explore the Clash of Cultures that played out on the plains. Use the Traveling Trunk items listed above to explore further.

2. Pass out the Washita Battlefield brochures. Have the students explore it making sure to read the “Recipe for Disaster” section.

3. Pass out the viewpoint cards to groups or partners. Students will have to work together to determine if it is a settler viewpoint, Plains Indian viewpoint, or both shared the viewpoint.

4. Allow students to work though the cards. When everybody is finished, share out the answers, discuss any differences.

Homework/Extension:

1. Have the students imagine they are in 1868 and write a letter to a government official to convince him to either settle or not settle the west and why. Write from either the perspective of a settler or tribal member.

Viewpoint Answer Key

Plains Indian	Settler	Both
No individual owns land- it is shared.	Land should be cleared for use.	The bison is an important animal.
Land is sacred and should be respected.	If you are not a Christian, you are inferior.	Trade is a good thing.
Believe that resources should not be wasted.	Prosperity can be found in the west.
Only kill and hunt what you can use.	Thought their way to live was the only true way to live.
Nature has spirits you can pray to.	Land is something you can buy and own.
	Reservations are to protect.

Associated Files

Lesson Four PowerPoint (PPTX, 4825 KB)