Cochise

Cochise Apache Chief 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cochise-Apache-chief

Cochise was a chief of the Chiricahua band of the Apache people. He was known for being tall (over 6 foot) and strong. In the 1860’s he led a fierce fight to hold onto Apache lands in what is now the southwestern United States.

  Nothing is known for certain of Cochise’s birth or early life. He was probably born in about 1810. Through the 1850’s his people enjoyed good relations with the U.S. government. The peace was broken in 1861, when some Apache stole a white rancher’s cattle and kidnapped the son of a ranch hand. A U.S. Army officer thought Cochise was responsible and put him in prison along with several other chiefs. Cochise escaped by cutting through the tent, but the rest of the prisoners were killed.

  Cochise swore he would seek revenge for his friends. The U.S. government did not back down. After the Civil War was over, they sent out thousands of troops to exterminate the Apache. Cochise and 200 hundred followers escaped capture for more than 10 years. Under Cochise’s leadership the Apache drove U.S. troops and settlers from their land in what is now southern Arizona. He led raids against U.S. soldiers and settlers from the Arizona Dragoon Mountains until surrendering in 1871. He escaped in 1872, but he soon returned to Arizona and settled on the newly created Chiricahua Reservation. He died from abdominal cancer on June 8, 1874.

The southeastern most county of Arizona was named for the great Apache leader.

Directions: Answer each question, citing evidence to support your response.

1. Describe Cochise’s character and physical traits. How do you know?

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2. Describe the relationship between Cochise and the U.S. Government. How do you know?

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3. What caused the relationship between Cochise and the U.S. Government to change? How do you know?

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4. Using details from the text, describe Cochise’s actions after he escaped capture. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 5. How did Cochise die, and what is one of his legacies?

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Summarize this passage using, the 5W’s “who, what, when, where, and why.” 

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