Wounded Knee Incident

Definition

The Wounded Knee Incident refers to the tragic confrontation that occurred on December 29, 1890, between the United States Army and Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. This event marked the last major battle of the Indian Wars and symbolizes the violent suppression of Native American cultures and their resistance to U.S. government policies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Wounded Knee Incident resulted in the deaths of approximately 300 Lakota Sioux men, women, and children, making it one of the deadliest events in U.S. history concerning Native Americans.
2. The incident followed the U.S. government's fear of a rising Native American revivalist movement, particularly due to the popularity of the Ghost Dance, which advocated for peace and restoration of Native culture.
3. The U.S. Army's response at Wounded Knee was characterized by extreme violence, as soldiers opened fire on unarmed Lakota Sioux during a disarmament attempt, leading to chaos and loss of life.
4. The aftermath of Wounded Knee had lasting effects on Native American communities, reinforcing a sense of trauma and loss that is still felt today among many tribes.
5. The Wounded Knee Incident is often viewed as a significant turning point that led to increased awareness and activism around Native American rights and issues in subsequent decades.

Review Questions

• How did the beliefs associated with the Ghost Dance contribute to tensions leading up to the Wounded Knee Incident?
  • The Ghost Dance was a spiritual movement that offered hope for Native Americans amidst growing pressures from the U.S. government. It promoted a vision where Native peoples could reunite with their ancestors and restore their way of life. As this movement gained traction among various tribes, including the Lakota Sioux, it caused alarm among U.S. officials who feared it might incite rebellion, ultimately leading to heightened tensions that culminated in the tragic events at Wounded Knee.
• In what ways did the Wounded Knee Incident reflect broader patterns of assimilation policies imposed on Native Americans during this period?
  • The Wounded Knee Incident highlighted the intense pressure Native Americans faced to assimilate into European-American culture through military force rather than peaceful means. The U.S. government's disarmament efforts at Wounded Knee were part of a larger strategy to suppress Native identities and enforce assimilation policies that aimed to erase traditional ways of life. This tragic event serves as an example of how assimilation efforts often resorted to violent measures against Indigenous peoples.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Wounded Knee Incident on Native American rights movements in the 20th century.
  • The Wounded Knee Incident had profound implications for Native American rights movements in the following decades. It not only intensified awareness of injustices faced by Indigenous peoples but also became a symbol of resilience and resistance against oppression. As activists began organizing for civil rights in the mid-20th century, references to Wounded Knee served as rallying points, encouraging renewed advocacy for sovereignty, cultural preservation, and justice. The legacy of this event continues to inspire contemporary movements aiming for recognition and respect for Native American rights.

Related terms

Ghost Dance:

A spiritual movement among Native Americans that sought to bring about a renewal of Native American culture and a return to ancestral ways, believed to be tied to the events leading up to the Wounded Knee Incident.

Indian Wars: A series of conflicts between Native American tribes and the United States government from the early 1600s until the late 19th century, characterized by battles over land and sovereignty.

Assimilation: The process by which Native Americans were pressured to abandon their cultural practices and languages in favor of European-American customs, particularly in the context of U.S. policies during the late 19th century.