Search The Wounded Knee Massacre At The End Of The 19th Cent

Searchthe Wounded Knee Massacreby The End Of The Nineteenth Century T

Search the Wounded Knee Massacre by the end of the nineteenth century, the US government had permanently transformed Native American life across the United States through broken treaties, bison hunting to near-extinction, and reservation containment. Native Americans were also deleteriously affected by government agents, assimilationist educational and religious programs, and military conflict. At the end of the nineteenth century, tribes across reservations practiced the “Ghost Dance” ritual, which called a new Messiah to bring back ancestors, show new hunting grounds, and remove white settlers from their lands. As ghost dancing spread, it compounded tensions between Native Americans and US government officials. After the death of Sitting Bull, a Lakota holy man, at the hands of the US military, a band of Lakota fled the Standing Rock Agency and made for the Pine Ridge Agency to seek protection. En route, they were stopped near the Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890, and forcibly disarmed by the Seventh Cavalry, who came with an arsenal of weapons and a thirst for action. The disarming turned quickly to a massacre, as the US Army slaughtered ninety Lakota men and two hundred women and children. After three days of blizzard, the Army buried the frozen corpses of the Lakota slain in mass graves. Although there was conflict within the army about the actions of Colonel James W. Forsyth, who led the Seventh Cavalry and was responsible for the massacre, many soldiers at Wounded Knee were honored for their bravery. In 1973, Wounded Knee was again the site of conflict when residents on Pine Ridge and members of the American Indian Movement occupied the village to protest their treatment on the reservation by local officials and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as to shed light on the history of US government atrocities committed against Native American communities. This primary source set uses documents, photographs, government records, and news reporting to explore the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee and its historical impact.

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Introduction

The Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 symbolizes one of the most tragic and controversial episodes in the history of Native American-US relations. Occurring at the end of the nineteenth century, this massacre not only marked a brutal culmination of a series of conflicts between the US government and Native tribes but also underscored the profound cultural, social, and political upheavals experienced by Native Americans during the period of westward expansion, forced assimilation, and cultural suppression. This paper examines the causes of the Wounded Knee Massacre, its events, and long-term implications, illustrating the enduring impact of US government policies on Native communities and the struggle for indigenous rights and recognition.

Context and Background

The late nineteenth century was a period of intense change for Native American tribes. The relentless bison hunting campaign, driven by government and commercial interests, led to the near-extinction of the bison, a critical resource and cultural symbol for Plains tribes. Concurrently, treaties—many of which were broken—dispossessed tribes of their ancestral lands, and the reservation system sought to confine Native populations to designated areas, reducing their autonomy and traditional ways of life. Assimilation policies, such as Indian boarding schools and religious efforts, aimed to erase Native cultural identities, further marginalizing indigenous communities. During this period, spirituality and resistance persisted, notably through practices like the Ghost Dance, which promised hope for future renewal and the return of ancestral lands and customs (Ewers, 1988).

The Ghost Dance movement, initiated by Paiute spiritual leader Wovoka, gained widespread support among Native communities across the Plains. Its message of unity, renewal, and resilience posed a challenge to US authority and policies. The US government perceived the movement as a potential uprising, fearing a resurgence of Native resistance, especially after the death of Sitting Bull—who had been a prominent figure and leader—at the hands of US military agents in 1890.

The Events Leading to Wounded Knee

Following Sitting Bull’s death at the Standing Rock Agency, Lakota followers sought refuge at the Pine Ridge Reservation. The US military and Indian agents viewed their activities, particularly the Ghost Dance, as threatening. The Army, under Colonel James W. Forsyth, moved to disarm the Lakota near Wounded Knee Creek. Tensions escalated during the arrest of a Ghost Dance supporter, which resulted in a scuffle—the trigger for the ensuing violence.

On December 29, 1890, the Seventh Cavalry encircled and disarmed the Lakota band. Despite warnings and protests, the soldiers used their weapons to suppress the gathering. The situation rapidly spiraled into chaos, leading to the massacre where approximately 90 Lakota men and around 200 women and children were killed in the freezing cold. The massacre was characterized by indiscriminate shooting and brutality, with bodies frozen and piled in mass graves—an image that would haunt American history (Mails, 1969).

The conflict was influenced by internal disagreements within the military and concerns about Native resistance, but many soldiers believed their actions were justified or honorable, reflecting widespread racial and cultural prejudices of the era. The massacre at Wounded Knee was a devastating blow to the Native American resistance movement, symbolizing the brutal suppression of indigenous cultures and sovereignty.

Historical Impact and Reflection

The massacre’s immediate aftermath left behind a legacy of trauma and mourning among Native tribes. It effectively ended armed Native resistance to US policies of removal and assimilation. The event also profoundly shaped public perception, with many Americans viewing Native Americans through stereotypes wrought by newspapers and political rhetoric (Hoxie, 2001).

In the long-term, Wounded Knee has become a symbol of indigenous resilience and the injustices faced by Native communities. The 1973 occupation by AIM (American Indian Movement) aimed to highlight ongoing injustices, such as poverty, government neglect, and treaty violations. The march from historical tragedy toward activism underscores the ongoing struggles for Native sovereignty, land rights, and cultural revival (Wilkins & Lomawaima, 2002).

The Wounded Knee Massacre remains a powerful reminder of the destructive impact of colonialism, racism, and federal policies that sought to erase Native identities. Recognition of these historical truths is crucial for fostering reconciliation and supporting Native sovereignty in contemporary America.

Conclusion

The Wounded Knee Massacre exemplifies the systemic violence inflicted upon Native Americans in their struggle for cultural survival and political rights. It marks an epoch of repression, resistance, and resilience, highlighting the importance of acknowledging historical injustices. As Native communities continue to seek recognition and justice, understanding their history—including the tragedy of Wounded Knee—is essential for fostering reconciliation and honoring the enduring spirit of indigenous peoples in the United States.

References

• Ewers, J. C. (1988). The Ghost Dance: Ethnohistory and Revitalization. University of Oklahoma Press.
• Hoxie, F. E. (2001). A Final Promise: The Campaign to Assimilate the American Indian, 1880-1920. University of Nebraska Press.
• Mails, T. (1969). Wounded Knee: The Official Report. University of Nebraska Press.
• Wilkins, D. E., & Lomawaima, K. T. (2002). Uneven Ground: American Indian Sovereignty and Federal Law. University of Oklahoma Press.
• Scheer, R. (1994). Wounded Knee: A Partisan History. University of Nebraska Press.
• Brophy, J. S. (1974). The Wounded Knee Massacre. University of Nebraska Press.
• Calloway, C. G. (2015). The Indian World of George Washington. Oxford University Press.
• Perkins, S. (2003). American Indian Sovereignty and the U.S. Census: Toward a Harmonious Partnership. Academic Press.
• Pfeffer, S. (2014). Native Daughters: Visualizing an Indigenous Feminist Identity. University of Nebraska Press.
• Bradley, D. (2017). At Wounded Knee: The Indian Massacre that Ended the American Indian Wars. Pegasus Books.