How was the tragedy at Wounded Knee related to the Ghost Dance?
The tragedy at Wounded Knee was directly related to the Ghost Dance movement, which was a spiritual movement among Native American tribes in the late 19th century. The Ghost Dance was developed by the spiritual leader Wovoka, also known as Jack Wilson, who was a member of the Paiute tribe.
The Ghost Dance movement spread among various tribes across the United States, as it promised a renewal of Native American ways of life and the restoration of ancestral lands. The dance was believed to inspire a spiritual awakening among Native Americans and bring about an end to their suffering under the oppression of white settlers. Many tribes saw the Ghost Dance as a last resort to regain their lost lands and traditional way of life.
The movement reached the Lakota Sioux tribe, who were living on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The Lakota believed in the prophecies of the Ghost Dance and saw it as an opportunity to resist further encroachment on their lands and culture. However, the dance came to be seen as a threat by the US government and the local authorities.
As tension escalated, the US government sent troops to suppress what they deemed a "rebellion." On December 29, 1890, the US Army surrounded a group of Lakota people, including women and children, who had gathered near Wounded Knee Creek, under the leadership of Chief Big Foot. The soldiers initially attempted to disarm the Lakota, but a scuffle broke out, resulting in the massacre.
In a chaotic and ruthless attack, the US Army slaughtered an estimated 150-300 Lakota Sioux, including women and children, in what became known as the Wounded Knee Massacre. The tragedy highlighted the violent suppression of Native American resistance and marked the end of armed conflicts between Native American tribes and the US government.
Overall, the tragedy at Wounded Knee was a direct result of the fear and misunderstanding surrounding the Ghost Dance movement. The US government, driven by a combination of cultural intolerance and fear, saw the Ghost Dance as a threat and responded with brutal force, leading to one of the most infamous massacres in American history.