The Sand Creek Massacre stands as one of the most horrific events in American military history, where hundreds of U.S. army volunteers attacked a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village, resulting in the deaths of approximately 150 to 200 individuals, primarily women, children, and the elderly.

This brutal act highlights the broader context of settler colonialism and the U.S. government's broken treaties with Native American tribes during a time of rapid westward expansion driven by the discovery of gold. Colonel John Chivington, who led the attack, justified this atrocity through a deep-seated hatred for Native peoples, viewing them as obstacles to progress.

This episode, on the week of Sand Creek's 160th anniversary, we explore the motivations behind such violence and the societal acceptance of these actions, revealing a historical pattern of displacement and brutality towards Indigenous communities, examining the aftermath and evolving perceptions of the massacre, and the ongoing struggles of Native Americans and the complexities of their relationship with the U.S. government.

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Special guest for this episode:

• Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Professor of American and Indigenous Histories at the University of East Anglia, with an interest in the American West, immigration and Americanisation.

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Highlights from this episode:

• The Sand Creek Massacre marked a tragic event in American history, highlighting the brutality faced by Indigenous peoples.
• Colonel John Chivington led a volunteer army to attack a peaceful Cheyenne village, resulting in numerous deaths.
• The massacre involved the murder of mostly women, children, and the elderly, showcasing extreme violence.
• Chivington's actions were driven by a deep-seated hatred towards Native Americans, reflecting broader societal views.
• Despite initial support for Chivington, public perception shifted as evidence of the massacre surfaced.
• The Sand Creek Massacre exemplifies the long history of broken treaties and unjust treatment of Native nations in America.

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Additional Resources:

Remembering the US soldiers who refused orders to murder Native Americans at Sand Creek (theconversation.com)

The Sand Creek Massacre 1864 - Defeat and demise of the Native Americans of the Plains - National 5 History Revision - BBC Bitesize

Native American History Timeline

Cochise: The Legendary Apache Leader Who Fought For His Tribe's Freedom (allthatsinteresting.com)

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And if you like this episode, you might also love:

Who Are Native Americans?

How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation?

What is Thanksgiving?

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