Osprey Essential Histories 59 : The Plains Wars 1757-1900

The Great Plains cover the central two-thirds of the United States, and during the nineteenth century they were home to some of the largest and most powerful Indian tribes on the continent. The conflict between these tribes and the newcomers from the Old World lasted about one hundred and fifty years, and required the resources of five nations - Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States - before fighting ended in the mid 1890s. This book explains the background, causes and long term effects of these bitter wars, whose legacy can still be felt today. Text by Charles M Robinson III.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Background to War : North and South
• Warring Sides
• Outbreak
• The Fighting : Battle on the Plains
• Portrait of a Soldier : Survivors
• The World around War
• Portrait of a Civilian : Women and Children
• Conclusion and Consequences
• Principal Indian Characters
• Further Reading
• Index