Historical story

What caused the Massacre at wounded Knee?

The Wounded Knee Massacre was caused by a combination of factors, including:

* The Ghost Dance movement: In the late 1880s, a religious movement called the Ghost Dance spread among many Native American tribes in the western United States. The Ghost Dance promised that if Native Americans performed the dance, their ancestors would return, the white settlers would be driven out, and the Native Americans would regain their traditional way of life. The Ghost Dance movement alarmed many white Americans, who feared that it was a sign of impending Indian rebellion.

* The Battle of Wounded Knee: On December 29, 1890, a group of Sioux Indians led by Chief Big Foot was traveling to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota when they were intercepted by a detachment of the U.S. 7th Cavalry. The soldiers ordered the Sioux to disarm, but a misunderstanding led to a fight. In the ensuing battle, more than 300 Sioux men, women, and children were killed.

* The aftermath: The Wounded Knee Massacre was a major turning point in the history of relations between the United States government and Native Americans. It marked the end of armed resistance by Native Americans, and it led to the establishment of a number of policies that aimed to assimilate Native Americans into white society.

The Wounded Knee Massacre was a tragic event that had a lasting impact on Native American history. It is still remembered as a symbol of the oppression and violence that Native Americans have faced in the United States.