Thanks to the Apache's education and tenacious behavior, they thrived in the Great Plains region of the United States. The American Indian tribe first took the name "Apache" from the Yuma Indians. The word Apache means "fighting men". They were hunters, farmers and seed gatherers. The Apache were known for their love of war and raiding, today we would call them thieves. When the Spanish first arrived in the Americas they were constantly attacked by Apaches. The tribe would steal the Spanish horses and eat them. They had not yet been introduced to the technology of using the horse as a means of transportation. The Apache used their dogs to move their wickiups or their homes because they were a nomadic people. Wherever the buffalo went, they followed. The horse began to become a means of transportation and no longer a source of food once the Indians watched the Spanish ride their horses. Since the Apache loved war so much, it was a surprise that they let the Spanish into their land. The fact was that the Apaches let them stay on the land so they could continue raiding them for their supplies. The tribe's persistence helped them make a name for themselves. (Josephy, 117) The Spanish police began capturing and enslaving any Apaches who attempted to raid the pueblo, or town. They attempted to convert the Apaches to Christianity but this was unsuccessful. Although the Apaches enjoyed stealing the Spanish's supplies, they eventually signed a peace treaty. (Josephy, 373)When the Spanish fought with the Americans in the Mexican War, the Apaches were a nuisance. The Spanish troops were so busy in this war that the Apaches did not have enough supplies. So they were forced to disobey the peace treaty and steal to survive. The act of breaking the peace treaty triggered the war. (Terrell, 148) There were many branches of the Apache Indians spread across the Great Plains. They began to band together and raid nearby towns in New Mexico. When the Mimbreno Apache and Gileno Apache tribes united, they became the most feared groups of all Indians. Both the Americans and the Spanish did not want to get entangled in their furious raids. This group of Indians killed more people on raids, stole more food, they were just evil Indians. The tribe's tenacity helped them make a name for themselves. The Spaniards during Mexico w...... middle of paper ......ech about how honored he was to make peace with such a great people, the confederates .“I'm happy I came. My heart is full of love for my Pindah brothers... When I lie down at night the treatise will be in my heart, and when I get up in the morning it will still be there. And I will be happy to be at peace with my Pindah brothers.” (Nicholas, 232) Americans took this speech to heart and took it at its most sincere. On his way home from El Paso Nicholas escaped from his horses and regrouped his raiders. The raiders and Nicholas went to the American herd of cattle and stole it. They killed 2 guards while doing so. The Confederate Congress passed a law to kill all Indians sighted. The soldiers had to persuade the Apaches to believe they had made peace and then, once captured, they had to kill them. (Haley, 234) The Apache raids helped keep the Americans on their toes. They flourished as a tribe despite its many different branches. Their aggressive behavior helped them become famous and never too weak under the rule of white men. Even though this tribe ended up with the other Indians in reservation camps, they still left an indelible mark on history.