Abstract

The era following the war with Mexico and the acquisition of lands extending to the Pacific Ocean fueled the slavery issue leading up to the U.S. Civil War. During this time, the 30-year-long Indian Wars (1862–1892) were festering, providing another era of brutal Indian removal often through federal deceit. Once cleansed of large tribal holdings, including those guaranteed by treaty, non-compliant Indians were hunted down, killed, or incarcerated as prisoners of war (POWs).