Curated OER
The Sand Creek Massacre
Fifth graders study the events that occurred during the Sand Creek Massacre and write about them in their journals. They make comparisons between the events at Sand Creek and modern day human rights events.
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Other
Colorado College: Tutt Library: Sand Creek Papers 1861 1864
Provides links to images of the actual pages of documents involving the Sand Creek Massacre.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Loss of American Indian Life and Culture
Read this section from a chapter on "Westward Expansion" to learn about the methods that the U.S. government used to address the "Indian threat" during the settlement of the West and explain the process of "Americanization" as it applied...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Events at Sand Creek, 1864
[Free Registration/Login Required] A great lesson plan about an incident that receives little coverage in most textbooks. This plan lays out the objectives and procedures for learning about and discussing the actions of Col. John...
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Native Americans in the Civil War
An account of the Native American participation in the Civil War in both the Union and Confederate armies. Includes discussion of the beginnings of the Indian Wars, which continued after the conclusion of the Civil War. From the Civil...
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: Winning the West: The Army in the Indian Wars
This is a chapter excerpt from a book on military history which details the role of the United States Army in the Indian Wars for the years 1865 to 1890.
PBS
The West: William Bent (1809 1869)
From PBS New Perspectives on the West comes this biography on William Bent that discusses his life as a trader at Bent's Fort in Colorado in the early 1800s.
PBS
The West Project: John M. Chivington (1821 1894)
This is a biography of the controversial and brutal general of the American Civil War John M. Chivington who is remembered for the Sand Creek Massacre of some 200 unarmed Indian women and children.
PBS
The West: Documents on the Sand Creek Massacre
Contains the text of documents on the Sand Creek Massacre, including two editorials from the Rocky Mountain News, Congressional testimony by John S. Smith, and a deposition by John M. Chivington
Yale University
Avalon Project: Treaty With the Cheyenne and Arapaho; October 14, 1865
Actual text of the treaty, which removes members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations to a reservation, gives additional land grants in reparation for the Sand Creek Massacre, and promises annual payments to tribal members.
Other
Terrain.org: Revisiting Sand Creek
This site provides a very detailed look at the events of the Sand Creek Massacre and efforts to find the exact spot where the event occurred.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Massacre at Sand Creek
A sad recounting of one of the most brutal attacks on Indians during the Indian Wars. Read about the Sand Creek Massacre and the retaliation it prompted.
New York Times
New York Times: Col. Chivington, Preacher and Soldier
[Free Registration/Login Required] An article written upon the death of Col. John Chivington in 1894. It recounts particularly his actions in the so-called Sand Creek Massacre.
PBS
The West: Black Kettle
This is a profile of the Southern Cheyenne Indian chief, Black Kettle, who escaped death at the Sand Creek Massacre only to later be murdered by the forces led by General George Custer at Washita River.
PBS
Pbs the West: Who Is the Savage?
Tells the story in pictures, narrative and quotes of the Sand Creek Massacre, which took place in 1864 on the Cheyenne reservation near Denver.
Other
Turtle Hill: Black Kettle (1813 1868)
Provides biographical information on Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle. Includes information about the Sand Creek Massacre.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
Provides information on the significance of the Sand Creek Massacre as well as historical information about the massacre. Clicking on "People" on the left margin will give you information about individuals associated with the Sand Creek...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Closing the Frontier
A brief look at the conflict between Native Americans in the last half of the 19th century. By the end of the century, Native Americans were relegated to reservation life. See how the struggle was fought and find out the advantages of...
Archaeological Institute of America
Archaeology: Sand Creek Massacre
Contains information about pinpointing the exact site of the Sand Creek Massacre.
PBS
Pbs the West: Colorado
Provides general information on the Sand Creek Massacre with links to information about John Chivington and Black Kettle.