How Did People’s Perceptions of the Great Plains Change After the Civil War?

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This inquiry explores conflict in North Dakota and on the northern Great Plains between Native and non-Native nations as tribes were pushed out of their traditional homelands when Europeans and Americans moved onto the plains. This topic is introduced through the investigation of the compelling question “how did people’s perceptions of the Great Plains change after the Civil War?” The importance of understanding the conflict in this context is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand the intense pressure and tension between Native Americans and the United States to maintain control over the Great Plains and (2) students will benefit from understanding the role the military played in expanding the railroads west.

The terms “Native Americans” and “Native peoples” are used in this inquiry. The terms “American Indians” and “Indians” are used in much of the scholarly literature. In this inquiry, precise tribal names will be used when they are known.

This inquiry is expected to take four class periods; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.

Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
Compelling Question
How did people’s perceptions of the Great Plains change after the Civil War?
Standards and Practices
ND.6_12.4.3 Describe the major factors that brought settlers to North Dakota.
Staging the Question
Discuss whether the part of North Dakota you live in is a desert or a breadbasket. Is the climate and resources of your region conducive to agriculture? Why or why not?
Supporting Question 1
Supporting Question 2
Supporting Question 3
Where were the U.S. military forts located? Why?
What was life like for the people living in a military fort?
What challenges around obtaining food were faced by the people living at a military fort on the northern Great Plains?
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Create a map that depicts where both the military forts were located and where major battles were fought.
Write a summary or outline of what life on the northern Great Plains was life for the people living in a military fort.
Create a menu for a day or a week based on the commonly available food at a military fort. Bonus points for cooking a meal using those ingredients.
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
  • Railroad Map Set
  • Several Historic Sites are military forts
  • Gardens at Frontier Military Posts Document Set
Summative Performance Task
Argument
How did a lack of communication with local tribes impact the ability of the U.S. military to provide their people with food in their Dakota Territory forts? Construct an argument that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views. Create a poster and present your argument to your class with evidence to support your claims.
Extension
Invite a county extension agent or master gardener to speak to your class about the local growing season, gardening, and native plants.
Taking Informed Action

Understand: Identify native plants in your region that are traditional sources of food and medicine.

Assess: Determine places where native plants can be found and take a field trip or hike to those areas. Have students bring pens and paper to do a nature journaling exercise.

Act: Using the natural journal exercise and additional research you conducted, create a poster or website to share your work. Present the project to your community during a history fair.