Fort Laramie Treaty

The Fort Laramie Treaty, signed in 1851, was an agreement between the U.S. government and various Native American tribes, including the Lakota and Cheyenne. The treaty aimed to establish peace and define tribal territories in the Great Plains, while allowing the U.S. to construct roads and establish forts. In exchange, the tribes were promised protection from white settlers and guaranteed their land rights. However, the treaty was frequently ignored by the U.S. government, leading to further conflicts and the eventual loss of Native American lands, setting the stage for ongoing struggles over rights and sovereignty.