USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -On December 15, 1890, reservation police tried to arrest Sitting Bull, the famous Sioux chief, whom they mistakenly believed was a Ghost Dancer, and killed him in the process, increasing the tensions at Pine Ridge in South Dakota. Did you know?

Detailed explanation-2: -The Ghost Dance was a spiritual movement that arose among Western American Indians. It began among the Paiute in about 1869 with a series of visions of an elder, Wodziwob. These visions foresaw renewal of the Earth and help for the Paiute peoples as promised by their ancestors.

Detailed explanation-3: -Indian agents on the Sioux reservation banned the Ghost Dance religion and used the military to enforce the ban. Tensions led to the Wounded Knee Massacre and the loss of hundreds of Sioux, including the elderly, women, and children.

Detailed explanation-4: -During 1891 and 1892 the ghost dance spread to the Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria, Iowa, Osage, and Quapaw. Each tribe composed its own songs and adapted the dance in accordance with participants’ own visions, reviving old-time clothing, weapons, dances, and hand games. Individuals from many tribes attended ghost dances.

Detailed explanation-5: -On December 29, 1890, as the Cavalry proceeded to disarm members of the tribe, a deaf man became confused and refused to hand over his gun. The gun went off, prompting the Cavalry to open fire. The Ghost Dance movement in many respects ended with the Wounded Knee Massacre.