Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Site facts for kids
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Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Site
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The natural amphitheater east of the site, 1969
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Medicine Lodge, Kansas |
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| Built | 1867 |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000059 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 4, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | August 4, 1969 |
The Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Site is a special place in Kansas. It is where an important agreement, called the Medicine Lodge Treaty, was signed in October 1867. This treaty was made between the United States government and several large Native American tribes from the western parts of the country.
This treaty was the first time the U.S. government officially tried to get Native Americans to adopt European ways of life. The peace from this treaty did not last long, less than a year. The treaty site is located near the city of Medicine Lodge. It is found where Elm Creek meets the Medicine Lodge River. In 1969, this site was recognized as a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
What is the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Site?
The Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Site is located south of the modern city of Medicine Lodge. The exact spot where the treaty was discussed and signed is near where Elm Creek and the Medicine Lodge River join. Many Native American groups set up their camps along both sides of the river. There were as many as 5,000 people staying there.
Today, parts of this area are owned by the public, and other parts are private. You can best see the site from a distance. There is a Memorial Peace Park about 1.5 miles to the east. This park has a natural outdoor theater, called an amphitheater. It faces west. Sometimes, people perform reenactments of the treaty events there.
Why Was the Treaty Needed?
After the American Civil War, many people from the eastern United States started moving west. They moved into areas that are now Kansas and Nebraska. This movement put pressure on the Native American tribes who already lived there. The tribes fought back against people moving onto their lands.
In the spring of 1867, a military group led by General Winfield Scott Hancock destroyed a Cheyenne village. This happened west of Medicine Lodge. After this, some politicians who wanted peace called for talks. They hoped to reach a long-term agreement with the affected tribes.
What Was the Plan for Peace?
During the summer of 1867, new ideas for peace were developed. The main idea was to have the tribes live on special areas of land called reservations. The government hoped that on these reservations, Native Americans would learn to live like white settlers. This was called "civilizing" them.
The U.S. Congress created the Indian Peace Commission in July 1867. This group had the power to agree to terms for peace. In October 1867, negotiations were held at this site. Five different tribes agreed to the terms. These agreements were written down in three separate treaties. Together, they are known as the Medicine Lodge Treaty.
Why Did the Peace Not Last?
The peace that came from the Medicine Lodge Treaty was very short. Neither side fully kept their promises from the agreements. By the next summer, fighting started again.
The exact spot where the treaty meetings happened was identified in 1922. A Kiowa person who had been there as a spectator pointed it out. It was a grove of elm trees on the south bank of Elm Creek. This spot was just east of the Medicine Lodge River.
Images for kids
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The natural amphitheater east of the site, 1969
