Overview
This lecture discusses the events leading up to the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, focusing on the Ghost Dance movement and the resulting conflict between the U.S. government and the Sioux tribe.
Background: U.S. Westward Expansion and Native Americans
- By 1890, Native Americans were confined to reservations as U.S. westward expansion neared completion.
- The U.S. government attempted to assimilate Native Americans and suppress their cultural practices.
- Many Native Americans were frustrated and angered by broken promises and harsh treatment.
The Ghost Dance Movement
- The Ghost Dance was a religious ritual practiced by Native Americans, especially the Sioux, to seek spiritual help.
- Practitioners believed the dance would restore their way of life and remove non-believers from their lands.
- The movement advocated rejecting white culture and returning to traditional ways.
Rising Tensions and Government Response
- White settlers and the U.S. government feared the Ghost Dance and viewed it as a threat.
- The military was ordered to suppress the Ghost Dance to prevent potential uprising.
Arrest and Death of Sitting Bull
- On December 15, 1890, police attempted to arrest Sitting Bull, a respected Sioux chief.
- Sitting Bull was killed during the arrest, increasing tensions on the reservation.
Wounded Knee Massacre
- Two weeks after Sitting Bull's death, the U.S. military attempted to confiscate weapons from Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek.
- A shot was fired (from an unknown side), leading to a brief skirmish that escalated into a massacre.
- Over 150 Native Americans were killed, most of whom were women and children.
- Many victims were found shot in the back while trying to flee.
Historical Interpretation
- Historians generally view the massacre as avoidable and possibly as retaliation for the earlier Battle of Little Bighorn.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Reservation — A designated area of land where Native Americans were forced to live.
- Assimilate — To adopt the cultural traits of another group, often forcibly.
- Ghost Dance — A spiritual ritual intended to restore Native American lands and ways of life.
- Wounded Knee Massacre — The 1890 killing of over 150 Sioux men, women, and children by the U.S. military.
- Battle of Little Bighorn — An 1876 battle where Native Americans defeated U.S. forces, influencing later events.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Watch the related video on the Battle of Little Bighorn for additional context.
- Conduct further research on events leading up to Wounded Knee for a deeper understanding.