Ghost Dance War facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ghost Dance War
Part of the Sioux Wars
Date December 29, 1890 – January 15, 1891 Location South Dakota Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Miniconjou Lakota Hunkpapa Lakota
Commanders and leaders
Nelson A. Miles James McLaughlin James W. Forsyth	Spotted Elk  † Sitting Bull  † Kicking Bear Short Bull
Casualties and losses
~25–50 killed 39 wounded	~300 killed 51 wounded
Native American losses include civilian casualties.

The Ghost Dance War was a conflict between the United States government and the Lakota Sioux in 1890 and 1891. It happened because a new religious movement called the Ghost Dance was spreading among the Lakota. The US Army moved into Lakota lands, which caused fear and resistance. This conflict led to the terrible Wounded Knee Massacre. On December 29, 1890, the 7th Cavalry killed over 250 Lakota people. Most of those killed were unarmed women, children, and elders. The war officially ended around January 15, 1891, when a Lakota leader named Kicking Bear met with US officials. However, the US government continued to use threats to stop the Ghost Dance on Lakota reservations.

The Ghost Dance Movement

What Was the Ghost Dance?

The Ghost Dance was a special ceremony that started as part of a Native American religious movement. It began in 1889 with a Paiute spiritual leader named Wovoka. He had a vision where he said Wakan Tanka (the Great Spirit) spoke to him. Wovoka told his people that the spirits of their ancestors would return. They would live in peace with Native Americans forever.

He believed that doing the Ghost Dances would make these events happen faster. People also thought that special shirts worn during these dances would protect them from bullets. Some Sioux also believed that big natural disasters would happen. These events would remove all white people, but Native Americans would be safe.

How the Dance Spread

This new religion quickly spread among Native Americans across the continent. It reached most western reservations, including the Lakota reservations in South Dakota. Sitting Bull, a famous Lakota leader, allowed Kicking Bear to teach the dance at the Standing Rock reservation.

At the same time, Short Bull taught the religion to the Brulé people at the Rosebud Reservation. Spotted Elk at Cheyenne River and Red Cloud at Pine Ridge Reservation also accepted the Ghost Dance. This growing movement led the US government to send troops into the Dakotas.

The Conflict Begins

Rising Tensions

In the winter of 1890, the Lakota faced many problems. The US government had broken promises from the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851. This treaty was about land divisions among tribes in South Dakota. The US also built railroads through the reservation. There was also a disagreement about the Black Hills land, where gold had been found in 1874.

In April 1890, General Thomas H. Ruger ordered the US 8th Cavalry to set up a camp. They watched the Miniconjou band led by Spotted Elk. This group lived near the reservation. Reports from the soldiers showed that the relationship was friendly at first. The band was described as "peaceably disposed."

The Standing Rock reservation also became very important for the Ghost Dance. A school teacher there reported that by October 1890, most of his students had left. Parents were taking their children out of school to join the Ghost Dance.

The Wounded Knee Massacre

Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Sumner of the 8th Cavalry was told to bring Spotted Elk and his band into Camp Cheyenne. Spotted Elk agreed to surrender the next day. But instead, he led his band to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

On December 28, the 7th Cavalry caught Spotted Elk and his band. This happened while they were on their way to Pine Ridge. Major Samuel Whitside wanted to take their weapons right away. However, his interpreter advised him not to. He said it would cause a fight. Instead, they decided to take the band to Wounded Knee Creek and disarm them the next day.

A Tragic Day

The next morning, soldiers tried to take the weapons from Spotted Elk's band. A deaf Lakota man did not give up his gun. The US soldiers may not have known how to talk to him. When soldiers grabbed him, his gun went off. At that moment, other Lakota began shooting at the soldiers.

One of the US commanders heard this and ordered his troops to fire. They also called for more help from Hotchkiss cannons. These cannons had been placed on a nearby ridge. The cannons fired, hitting everyone in their path.

When the fighting stopped, almost 300 Lakota people were dead. Most of them were women and children. About 25 US troops were killed, and 45 were injured. Many of the US casualties were believed to be from friendly fire. Many Lakota who escaped were hunted down and killed by soldiers.

A blizzard then arrived, covering the area in snow. This prevented both the US troops and other Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation from getting their dead. For three days, frozen bodies lay across Wounded Knee Creek. When news of the massacre reached the Eastern US, there was a public outcry. The US government then re-established the treaty they had broken with the Lakota.

What Happened Next

Medals and Protests

Many Native Americans were upset because twenty US troops received the Medal of Honor for their actions at Wounded Knee. Some Native Americans have since tried to have these medals taken back.

In more recent years, there have been protests at the Wounded Knee Memorial. These protests remind the nation of this sad event. They also protest how the government treats Native Americans today. The American Indian Movement (AIM) occupied the Pine Ridge Reservation near Wounded Knee. This protest lasted from February 27 to May 8, 1973. It was a 71-day standoff between federal authorities and Native American activists. This protest is also known as Wounded Knee II.