Essay On The Ghost Dance Movement

915 Words4 Pages

Towards the end of 1890 on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations in South Dakota, the US military and Sioux Native Americans got into an altercation. Around 300 men, women, and children died with casualties from both sides. By January 15, 1891 all of the Sioux had surrendered and war was averted. The main reason for the battle was the Sioux Native American’s resistance to the U.S. Army and white expansion which triggered The Ghost Dance movement. One event leading to the Battle of Wounded Knee was the Ghost Dance movement. The Ghost Dance movement was a religious movement that began in the 1889 American West. After the Native American’s resistance towards the U.S. Army and white expansion, they ceremony was created to exhibit support to their culture. Though, the ceremony was interpreted …show more content…

A detachment of US soldiers were sent to assist in the burial and search for remains covered in snow from the blizzard. The trench was 50 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 6 feet deep. Then many of the Native American remains were stripped by white souvenir hunters and the bodies were thrown into the grave. Back in DC some were awarded for their contributions, while others were investigated and even arrested for their actions. For example, the soldiers were publicly awarded for “their splendid conduct”, and around 20 US soldiers received a medal for their work at Wounded Knee. Equally important, Miles also launched an investigation into Colonel James W. Forsyth's actions at Wounded Knee, but the government didn’t want to punish Forsyth since most Americans supported him. What's more, is that by the time the Sioux surrendered 27 of their leaders had been sent to prison. After everything was settled, the Sioux traveled to DC as part of the peace agreement, and President Benjamin Harrison refused to talk with them, he only shook their