According to Black Elk, what atrocities took place at Wounded Knee? How did President Harrison describe these atrocities?
Whom did Black Elk blame for the Wounded Knee Massacre? Whom did Harrison blame?
According to President Harrison, what was the future of Native Americans? How did Black Elk’s vision of the future compare to Harrison’s vision?
What have you learned about these questions from your text?
there was so much hatred
The 6 million natives that were brutally assassinated in Wounded Creek camp will never be forgotten
To answer these questions, we will first need to understand the historical context of the Wounded Knee Massacre. The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, in South Dakota, United States. It was a tragic event that marked the end of armed conflict between the US government and indigenous peoples, specifically the Lakota Sioux.
1. Atrocities at Wounded Knee:
According to Black Elk, a prominent Lakota Sioux holy man, the atrocities at Wounded Knee included the killing of around 300 Native American men, women, and children by the US Army. The soldiers opened fire on the Lakota Sioux during what was supposed to be a peaceful disarmament of their tribe at Wounded Knee Creek. The indiscriminate shooting resulted in the death and injury of numerous Native Americans.
2. President Harrison's description:
President Benjamin Harrison, in his annual message to Congress in 1891, described the Wounded Knee Massacre as a "criminal outrage." Harrison expressed sympathy for the victims and acknowledged that the incident was a regrettable and tragic event.
3. Blaming for the Wounded Knee Massacre:
Black Elk primarily blamed the US government for the Wounded Knee Massacre. He viewed the event as a betrayal of the treaties and agreements made between Native American tribes and the US government, which resulted in broken promises and loss of land.
President Harrison, on the other hand, did not explicitly blame anyone. However, he acknowledged that the incident was a tragic outcome of a volatile and complex situation.
4. Future of Native Americans:
According to President Harrison, the future of Native Americans lied in assimilation into mainstream American society. He supported policies aimed at transforming Native Americans into "civilized" citizens by encouraging them to adopt European-American customs and practices.
Black Elk's vision of the future differed from Harrison's. Black Elk believed in the preservation and continuation of Native American traditions and ways of life. He saw a future where Native American spirituality and cultural practices would be restored, leading to spiritual and cultural revitalization among indigenous communities.
It is important to note that these perspectives reflect the views of Black Elk and President Harrison during that historical era. Different scholars and individuals may have varying interpretations and opinions on these matters.