- Competition for Land: The Great Plains was home to many Native American tribes who relied on the land for hunting, gathering, and sustenance. As settlers moved westward, they encroached on Native American lands and disrupted their traditional ways of life.
- Treaties Violation: The United States government often signed treaties with Native American tribes, promising to respect their land rights. However, settlers frequently violated these treaties, leading to heightened tensions between Native Americans and the government.
- Cultural Clash: The values, customs, and beliefs of Native American tribes differed significantly from those of the settlers. This cultural clash caused misunderstandings and conflicts between the two groups.
- Gold and Other Resources: The discovery of gold and other valuable resources in the Great Plains further intensified the conflict. Settlers rushed to claim these resources, often disregarding Native American rights and leading to clashes.
- Government Policies: The United States government pursued policies aimed at assimilating Native Americans into white society, undermining their cultural identity and traditional practices, further exacerbating tensions and conflict.
As a result of these factors, numerous battles, massacres, and conflicts occurred between Native Americans and settlers, culminating in the displacement and dispossession many tribes from their ancestral lands.