Gnadenhutten massacre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gnadenhutten Massacre |
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| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
 This 37 foot (11 m) monument, located next to a reconstructed mission house in what was the center of the original village, was dedicated on June 5, 1872. The inscription reads: "Here triumphed in death ninety Christian Indians, March 8, 1782." |
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The Gnadenhutten massacre was a terrible event that happened during the American Revolutionary War. On March 8, 1782, 96 unarmed Lenape (also known as Delaware) people were killed by American militiamen from Pennsylvania. These Lenape people were Christians living in a Moravian missionary village called Gnadenhutten, Ohio.
More than a hundred years later, Theodore Roosevelt, who would become a U.S. President, said the massacre was "a stain on frontier character that the lapse of time cannot wash away." This means it was a very sad and shameful event that should never be forgotten.
Today, the place where the village stood is protected. You can find a rebuilt mission house and a cooper's (barrel maker's) house there. A monument was put up a century later to remember those who died. The burial mound is also marked and cared for. The village site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical place.
Contents
What Was the American Revolutionary War?
The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) was a big fight between Great Britain and its 13 American colonies. The colonies wanted to become an independent country, the United States of America. This war affected many people, including Native American tribes.
Native Americans During the War
Native American tribes often had to choose sides in the war. Some tribes supported the British, and others supported the Americans. Some tried to stay neutral, meaning they didn't pick a side. This was a very difficult time for them. Their lands were often caught in the middle of the fighting.
The Moravian Missionaries
Moravians were a group of Christians who believed in spreading their faith peacefully. They sent missionaries to live among Native American tribes. Their goal was to teach Christianity and a European way of life.
Life in Moravian Missions
In the 1770s, Moravian missionaries set up villages in the Ohio Country. These villages were for Lenape people who had become Christians. The Lenape in these missions lived a peaceful life. They farmed, built homes, and practiced their Christian faith. They tried to stay out of the war. Gnadenhutten was one of these peaceful villages.
The Lenape People
The Lenape are a Native American tribe. They originally lived in what is now the northeastern United States. This includes parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York. As European settlers moved in, many Lenape were forced to move west. Some of them settled in the Ohio Country.
Christian Lenape Villages
The Lenape who lived in Moravian missions were known as "Christian Indians." They had adopted Christianity and lived in settled communities. They were different from other Lenape groups who might have still followed traditional ways. They were also different from Lenape who chose to fight in the war.
The Events Leading to the Massacre
The Ohio Country was a dangerous place during the Revolutionary War. Both American and British forces, along with their Native American allies, were active there. The peaceful Moravian villages were often caught between these groups.
Suspicions and Fear
Some American soldiers and settlers were suspicious of all Native Americans. They sometimes thought that even the peaceful Christian Lenape might be helping the enemy. This fear and mistrust grew as the war continued.
The March to Gnadenhutten
In early 1782, a group of Pennsylvania militiamen marched into the Ohio Country. They were looking for Native American warriors who had attacked American settlements. They came across Gnadenhutten.
The Massacre of March 8, 1782
On March 8, 1782, the militiamen arrived at Gnadenhutten. They gathered the Lenape villagers, telling them they would be taken to a safer place. The villagers were disarmed and put into two buildings.
The Tragic Decision
Despite the villagers being unarmed and peaceful, the militiamen decided to kill them. The Lenape men, women, and children were killed. It was a terrible act against innocent people.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Gnadenhutten massacre shocked many people, even during a time of war. It showed the extreme violence and mistrust that could happen on the frontier.
Remembering Gnadenhutten
The site of the massacre has been preserved to honor the victims. The monument and reconstructed buildings help people remember what happened. It serves as a reminder of the importance of peace and understanding.
A Stain on History
The massacre is seen as a dark moment in American history. It highlights the sad consequences of war and prejudice. It reminds us to learn from the past and work for a more just future.
Images for kids
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This 37-foot (11 m) monument to the Moravian Christian Indian Martyrs, located next to a reconstructed mission house in what was the center of the original village, was dedicated on June 5, 1872. The inscription reads: "Here triumphed in death ninety Christian Indians, March 8, 1782."
